Help make low-income fares more affordable

Call To Action

Fair Fares is asking for your support of a sliding fee scale for the City of Calgary's low-income subsidy programs including the Low-Income Transit pass and Seniors Low-Income Transit Pass

Call 311 to let City Council know you support a sliding fee scale to make transit more affordable for people living on low-income or consider attending and/or presenting at the Standing Policy Committee meeting on Friday, October 10th, beginning at 9:30 am at the Old City Hall.

To view the report going before council on October 10th,  visit this link. 

What is a sliding fee scale?

A ‘Sliding Fee Scale’ allows people with lower incomes to pay less for City programs such as transit. The subsidy for transit and other City programs would be based on a person’s ability to pay.


How much would people pay?

Fair Fares is proposing the scale start at $54.00 per year for people at or below 100% of Stats Canada 2014 'Low-Income Cut Off' (LICO) and increase incrementally up to 125% of LICO as it is recognized that many people with incomes slightly above LICO still live in poverty and struggle to afford City services.


Why Fair Fares supports a sliding scale

• A sliding scale treats all people living on low-income the same regardless of age. Fair Fares is recommending that the City combine the Low-Income Transit pass and the seniors’ Low-Income Transit pass into one program using a sliding scale. 
• A sliding scale will assist more people living in poverty and could prevent them from falling deeper into poverty. The subsidy will benefit people with incomes between 0 – $2400.00 per month. 
• A sliding scale creates a fairer way to provide City subsidies and ensures that all Calgarians are able to use public transit.

Your story

Please email Fair Fares to let us know how a lower price for the Low-Income Transit pass will help you.  We will add your name to the list of supporters for a sliding fee scale which we will share at the City's Standing Policy Committee meeting on October 10th.   

List of Supporters
The following individuals and organizations support Calgary Transit's recommendation to create a sliding fee scale for the City's low-income subsidy programs: 

Calgary Ability Network

Disability Action Hall
Poverty Talks

Vibrant Communities Calgary
Women's Centre of Calgary