Public transit like Hamilton Steam Railroad (HSR) or Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) needs to be actually funded by the Provincial government and the municipal governments. Thus creating a transit system that is FREE and usable every day to get to places without fares. Paid for through municipal and provincial taxation.
"...the fact that they are targeting the financially vulnerable in this city" Most disabled people in Hamilton are unable work and don't have much money coming in; of those, most aren't getting the free rides from the HSR because they're not blind or using a mobility aid. The new plan will give those people a break on bus fare. Getting free rides hasn't made getting around physically easier for people who are blind or using mobility aids, but a discounted fare will make getting around more affordable for _all_ disabled Hamiltonians.
Why doesn't anyone seem to care about the thousands of disabled Hamiltonians who haven't been getting a break on their bus fares? Their numbers aren't noted because they pay full fare. But they live on just as little money as the people who have been getting a fare break, and are just as unable to work. Why doesn't anyone seem to care about them? This is not even being mentioned.
They can afford to pay, because their parents are paying for them. I've seen more people with walkers who obviously use them only for the free ride purpose. Charge more for women who take up space with baby carriages. The blind should be able to travel for free.
In the Durham region the school board used to pay for a free bus pass for students that lived 3 kms from their schools. It was great because it got students used to using public transit and gave them a level of autonomy.
But the current programme _doesn't_ give "disabled Hamiltonians access to free HSR bus rides". It gives _some_ disabled Hamiltonians access to free HSR bus rides. The rest of disabled Hamiltonians don't get even a discount despite the same low incomes. The HSR new plan gives equal access to all disabled Hamiltonians. Ms Ruttan is understandably upset about losing free rides; she has had the benefit of them for decades and they have helped her financially. Unfortunately, most other disabled people have not, and paying for bus fare has been extremely hard on them. Sometimes, in an effort to do the most good for the most people, some people lose their privileges, although in this case people who currently ride for free will have their privilege decreased, not erased. The rest of the disabled Hamiltonians, who don't use a walker, scooter, wheelchair, and don't hold a CNIB card, will finally also be able to access HSR lower fares which will help _them_ financially.
Public transit like Hamilton Steam Railroad (HSR) or Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) needs to be actually funded by the Provincial government and the municipal governments. Thus creating a transit system that is FREE and usable every day to get to places without fares. Paid for through municipal and provincial taxation.
Shame on you city of hamilton
"...the fact that they are targeting the financially vulnerable in this city"
Most disabled people in Hamilton are unable work and don't have much money coming in; of those, most aren't getting the free rides from the HSR because they're not blind or using a mobility aid. The new plan will give those people a break on bus fare. Getting free rides hasn't made getting around physically easier for people who are blind or using mobility aids, but a discounted fare will make getting around more affordable for _all_ disabled Hamiltonians.
Why doesn't anyone seem to care about the thousands of disabled Hamiltonians who haven't been getting a break on their bus fares? Their numbers aren't noted because they pay full fare. But they live on just as little money as the people who have been getting a fare break, and are just as unable to work. Why doesn't anyone seem to care about them? This is not even being mentioned.
they should also give free HSR rides for students too.
And who all pays for that
They can afford to pay, because their parents are paying for them. I've seen more people with walkers who obviously use them only for the free ride purpose. Charge more for women who take up space with baby carriages. The blind should be able to travel for free.
In the Durham region the school board used to pay for a free bus pass for students that lived 3 kms from their schools. It was great because it got students used to using public transit and gave them a level of autonomy.
They need more revenue because the drivers are always threatening to strike for more money.
But the current programme _doesn't_ give "disabled Hamiltonians access to free HSR bus rides". It gives _some_ disabled Hamiltonians access to free HSR bus rides. The rest of disabled Hamiltonians don't get even a discount despite the same low incomes. The HSR new plan gives equal access to all disabled Hamiltonians. Ms Ruttan is understandably upset about losing free rides; she has had the benefit of them for decades and they have helped her financially. Unfortunately, most other disabled people have not, and paying for bus fare has been extremely hard on them. Sometimes, in an effort to do the most good for the most people, some people lose their privileges, although in this case people who currently ride for free will have their privilege decreased, not erased. The rest of the disabled Hamiltonians, who don't use a walker, scooter, wheelchair, and don't hold a CNIB card, will finally also be able to access HSR lower fares which will help _them_ financially.
Would be nice if the discount were more, but at least it's fair across the board.
maybe they could have a trailer at the back of the buses for people that want to ride free to hop on :)
There's a really simple solution to this kind of stupidity: follow Rosa Parks example by taking your seat, make them remove disabilities.