Sutcliffe 'working on a solution' to address blowback to proposed seniors transit fare hike

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is acknowledging negative feedback from the community regarding possible increases to transit fares for seniors and hinting the city could back down from the proposal.

The draft 2025 City of Ottawa budget proposes transit fare hikes across the board that would see a 120 per cent increase to seniors’ monthly passes. The cost of a senior pass will increase from $49 to $108, with the new fare being a 20 per cent discount from the regular adult rate.

The move has erupted concerns from community members and advocates who say the city is placing the burden of transit fare increases on the most vulnerable.

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Sutcliffe wrote to city councillors in a letter obtained by CTV News that he has spoken with some members of the city's Transit Commission and is working on a solution.

"Over the past few days, we've all heard from Ottawa residents about the proposed increases in transit fares for seniors included in the draft budget. Based on your feedback, I've spoken with the other members of the working group on the long-range financial plan for transit - Councillors Leiper, Gower, and Tierney - and we all agree that this is an area that needs to be addressed," Sutcliffe wrote.

"We are working together on a solution, including identifying a funding source, to respond to the community's feedback. Our intention is to bring a motion to the transit commission meeting next Monday. Once we have finalized a funding source and a proposed solution, we will share it with you."

During an interview on Newstalk 580 CFRA's The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll, Sutcliffe said staff faced some "tough choices" on transit.

"One of the areas we looked at was all the discounts we provide across the board for youth, for seniors and we looked at trying to get those more in line with what is offered in other cities," Sutcliffe said on Tuesday

"We actually provided much bigger discounts for seniors and youth than in many other places in Canada, so we asked staff to kind of bring those up to the level they are in other cities. When we saw the budget, we saw that it was too big a jump for seniors."

Sutcliffe says seniors currently receive a 63 per cent discount on the adult fare, and the draft budget proposes a 20 per cent discount from the adult fare.

"I don't think we'll continue with a 63 per cent discount, but what was in the budget was a 20 per cent discount – we'll do something that's somewhere in between the two."

Sutcliffe says the city is looking for "another source" within the 2025 budget to offset a reduction in the seniors' transit fares, "that doesn't have a significant impact on residents."

"We're not going to punish someone else in order to fix the issue with the increase in seniors' fares."

According to the full OC Transpo budget tabled last week, the city will also end the free transit days for seniors on Wednesdays and Sundays in 2025.

The Transit Services draft budget shows the city is also considering scrapping the 'Youth' (ages 13-19) monthly pass. The city will also eliminate the free transit service for 11 and 12-year-olds in 2025. Children and youth under the age of 10 will continue to be able to board the bus for free.

The budget would also increase a single-adult fare to $4 for Presto/card users and $4.05 to pay with cash, while an adult monthly bus fare will increase $6.25 to $135. The proposal would make Ottawa's transit fares among one of the highest in the country.

Seniors disappointed by proposed increase

Upon hearing about the proposed far hike, several seniors who rely on OC Transpo tell CTV News they were disappointed in both the prospect of an increase, as well as the current level of service offered by the transit provider.

"They're not doing their job. They're making big bucks for lousy service," said Barbara Nault.

"It takes you forever to get around the city to your appointments. The buses are not reliable."

Nault also expressed concern over the fact that some bus stops in the city do not have available seating, forcing elderly folks to stand and wait for their bus to arrive.

Chris Hughes is the interim executive director of the Good Companions Seniors' Centre. He tells CTV News even if the city claws back the originally proposed fare hike for seniors, some won't be able to cover any additional cost.

"Some of our seniors, they can meet whatever it is that's required, but we do have a number of seniors that, if it increases by five dollars, that's more than they can accommodate," he said.

"Seniors have enough barriers getting to programs, services, doctors' appointments, dental appointments and so on. The last thing they need to do is throw another barrier, and that is a financial barrier."

Hughes adds, he's concerned that if prices rise too high, forcing some seniors to do away with their passes, they will miss out on crucial social events at the Good Companions Seniors' Centre that help to keep the elderly population active and engaged.

"My biggest concern is that they won't be able to come to the centre to take advantage of the services that are offered to them which really is an opportunity for them to stay active and it keeps them from having to use some other services in town like healthcare services."

The union representing OC Transpo bus drivers and mechanics raised "significant concerns" regarding the city's draft budget in a letter to council this week.

"One of the most troubling aspects of the proposed budget is the increase in fares for senior citizens. It is unfathomable to consider raising costs for these residents, who are often the most dependent on our services," wrote Noah Vineberg, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU).

"Many seniors have been loyal users of our transit system for years, using it not by choice, but out of necessity. They are on fixed incomes and rely on affordable transit options to remain active participants in their communities."

Sutcliffe said last week the city is using "a lot of duct tape" to fill a $120 million hole in the OC Transpo budget. The plan to hike senior bus passes and scrap the free fare days for seniors would generate $2.042 million in new revenue next year.

Transit Commission will meet on Nov. 25 to approve the draft Transit Services budget. If approved by council on Dec. 11, the fare increases would go into effect on Jan. 1. 

With files from CTV News Ottawa's Josh Pringle and Austin Lee