Alberta Cuts Funding for Low-Income Transit Pass Programs in Calgary and Edmonton

The Alberta government has announced that it will be cutting funding for low-income transit pass programs in Calgary and Edmonton, effective in the first quarter of 2024. This decision will jeopardize discounted monthly passes for 119,000 qualified residents, a 35% increase from the same period in 2023.

Calgary received $6.2 million from the province last year for the program, which allows low-income residents to buy monthly transit passes at a reduced rate. The mayors of Calgary and Edmonton have expressed concerns about the funding cuts, stating that it will dramatically increase the amount low-income residents pay for transit fares.

The province claims it is investing in other transit projects and support programs, but the mayors argue that the funding cut for the low-income transit pass program is an insult to the lowest-income residents who are already struggling to get by. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek described the move as "an absolute cruelty to low-income Calgarians" who rely on this funding to get around.

The Low Income Transit Pass (LITP) program has been well-used in both cities, with a 150% increase in demand in Edmonton since 2016. Currently, an Edmonton Transit Service adult monthly pass costs $100, with the program offering reduced-cost tiers of either $35 or $50 depending on household income and other criteria.

Why this matters: The decision to cut funding for low-income transit pass programs comes at a time when many Albertans are struggling to afford their basic needs. The move has raised concerns about the impact on affordability and the potential for pushing more people into extreme poverty.

The NDP opposition has called the decision "extremely cruel", as municipalities are already struggling with insufficient funding from the province. Calgary city council has unanimously passed a motion to request that the province reduce its 2024 property tax requisition by $6.2 million to offset the cut. "The decision shows that the province's priorities are in the wrong place," said Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.

The cities are now looking for ways to recoup the lost funding or find alternative sources to continue the program. Calgary Mayor Gondek stated, "This is an insult to the lowest income Calgarians who are already struggling to get by." The mayors of both cities have criticized the decision as prioritizing the wrong priorities and harming the most vulnerable residents who rely on these subsidized passes.

Key Takeaways

• Alberta to cut funding for low-income transit pass programs in Calgary and Edmonton.
• Cuts will impact 119,000 qualified residents, a 35% increase from 2023.
• Mayors criticize the move as harming the most vulnerable and prioritizing the wrong priorities.
• Calgary and Edmonton seek to offset the cuts through property tax reductions and alternative funding.
• The decision raises concerns about affordability and the potential for pushing more people into poverty.