A subsidy program that aims to provide Chestermere residents with affordable public transportation through discounted pricing for Calgary Transit passes and tickets was announced on Nov. 29, following the extension of Calgary Transit service into Chestermere earlier this year.
The reduced pricing is offered through the Chestermere Community Support Services’ Community Access Program, which provides residents an economical option to board the Calgary Transit’s MAX Purple bus rapid transit (BRT) line.
According to a City press release, Chestermere residents are unable to access Calgary’s subsidized transit rates, so the municipality has stepped up to fill the gap for any residents facing “social and affordability barriers” when it comes to accessing public transportation.
“This allows Chestermere to align subsidized fares with Calgary’s offering and remove barriers to transit ridership, including the new Chestermere Transit Link launched this summer,” read the press release.
The discounted transit tickets or passes are available to Chestermerians who demonstrate a need for subsidized transportation, which will be determined on a sliding scale system based on the individual’s income.
The Community Access Program will provide up to $500 per person, per year. Participants will be required to re-apply for support each year, which will allow the City an opportunity to reassess their eligibility.
Danielle Fermin, manager of community support services at the City of Chestermere, said determination of eligibility will be based on a tiered approach, similar to the system used] by the City of Calgary.
“If there are individuals accessing government assistance programs already, then there’s a qualification already being identified because they’re receiving income support elsewhere,” she said. “We’ll be looking at personal circumstances as well.”
She added residents are encouraged to book an appointment through the City’s resource centre to complete an eligibility assessment with the help of a staff member. In addition, she said several residents are already making use of the support program since it piloted on Nov. 1.
“I think sometimes people are really hesitant to access services if the municipality is doing a lot of the criteria assessment,” she said. “But, it’s a team where we’re specialized in looking at affordability and getting people referred to services they need – It'll be a confidential service they’ll be accessing.”
She added she hopes to promote the service to the community and spread awareness that the program is geared toward individuals facing financial barriers in utilizing the new inter-municipal transit service.
“The goal is to ensure that residents have access to affordable services to be able to do that and to also support the ridership of the program,” she said.
According to the City’s press release, funding for the program is provided by Gifts of Kindness donations, developers or other contributions made to the Transit Pilot Project.
Fermin added the pilot program is set to run for approximately 22 months, and will at that point be reassessed to determine how it might continue moving forward.
Residents who are interested in applying for the transit subsidy program are encouraged to complete a Community Support Services general intake form at Chestermere.ca/intake or call 403-207-7079.
Individuals will be required to provide proof of income documentation for assessment of their eligibility.
Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy
