City of Powell River looks into free public transit

City of Powell River Council is awaiting a report from BC Transit regarding a prospective initiative to offer free transit to Powell River riders.

The suggestion to offer free transit came from the city’s youth council, which recommended at the June 18 committee of the whole meeting that council support a free transit pilot program for summer 2019 where all buses would be free.

https://www.prpeak.com/news/city-of-powell-river-looks-into-free-public-transit-1.23884090 

Victoria city council endorses proposal for free transit in the Capital Region

City council has endorsed a proposal to phase out transit fees within the Capital Region.

Vancouver youth to ride public transit fare-free

Vancouver City Council has voted to have Mayor Kennedy Stewart write a letter to TransLink and the provincial government to request they implement free public transit in Metro Vancouver for individuals aged 18 and under.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-city-council-free-public-transit-2019

It's a "no-brainer" invest in [free] transit, not parking

Whistler tempts drivers to stay off the road | CTV Vancouver News: ""It really does seem like a no-brainer," said Nancy Wilhelm-Morden. "Take that money from parking and put it to transit.""

Congestion-plagued Whistler tried free transit, and says it took hundreds of cars off the road

Globalnews.ca: "The result was striking: a 52 per cent jump in ridership on free days — the equivalent of about 400 cars off the road, Wilhelm-Morden said.

The next year, Whistler doubled down, she said."

Benefits of #freetransit for youth

Patrick Johnstone: "You may have heard TransLink is doing a Fare Review process. I wrote a bit about this a few months ago after attending a stakeholders meeting. The next phase of the process is meant to begin in the Fall according to the TransLink webpage, but I recently read a story that brought to mind one of my pet peeves about the transit fare system, and an idea that I think we need to adopt.

It is time we stop charging youth for using Transit."

Fare-free public transit in Vancouver?

Translink has been less than receptive to the idea of Fare Free Transit despite the economic advantages it offers and which have been proven around the world.  And since Climate Change is undeniable, that alone is reason enough.  Please see theTyee.ca series for more on that: https://thetyee.ca/Views/2007/07/05/NoFares1/