Senior bus riders in Chatham-Kent will have two years of cheaper rides before their bus passes are removed from the transit system.
Council has approved a "phasing-out" of the municipality's senior bus pass, after initial plans saw the pass being removed completely this coming July.
Councillor Karen Herman says the year-long pass will go up in price from $70 to $140 next year, and $210 in 2018.
"This gives them a little more leverage of time and money, understanding 'yeah in 2017 it's going to cost me $140,'" says Herman. "Instead of one cutoff... it's going to be grandfathered in."
The senior passes will be completely removed from the system in 2019.
Herman is also a member of the CK Senior Advisory Committee. While the committee wishes the pass would be a permanent part of the new transit system, they are pleased a "low-income" option, costing $40/month, is available.
"Within that is every age demographic. We were pleased to know the lower-income demographic, including the seniors, is going to be able to take these buses," says Herman.
The new program will be under a trial period starting in July 2016. Staff will re-evaluate the new rate system after a year.
