The new year will bring a double-digit fare hike for London Transit riders
The London Transit Commission unanimously approved a 17 per cent increase for all different fares at a meeting on Wednesday night. The new prices will come into effect on January 1, 2020.
An unlimited monthly bus pass will jump from $81 to $95, park and ride passes will rise from $60 to $70, and passes for low income earners and youth will go from $52 to $61. Single cash fares for adults, seniors, and students are going up 25 cents to $3, while a five ticket strip of tickets will be $11.25 for adults, $9 for students, and $8.50 for seniors.
LTC officials estimated the fare increase will generate an additional $3.3 million in fare revenue next year. This is the commission's first fare hike since 2008.
While the fare hike could potentially result in a five per cent loss in ridership, an LTC staff report also took into account riders' willingness to pay for quality service and direct travel that is convenient, reliable, safe, and affordable.
"The improvements made to date, coupled with those planned for the next five-year period cover [those] key principles... As such, no ridership loss relating to the fare increase is being budgeted," the staff report said.
Enhancements planned between 2020 and 2024 include the following:
- Enhance overall service levels
- Explore alternative service delivery models
- Improve direct connections
- Build on the express route network
- Eliminate 60-minute headways
- Minimize impacts to existing passengers
