Klein promises $2 bus fare for seniors

Kevin Klein is promising to let seniors take the bus for $2 if he wins the race to become Winnipeg’s mayor in two weeks.

Klein issued a press release Wednesday pledging to reduce the regular senior bus fare to $2 to make life more affordable. Winnipeg Transit’s current cash fare for seniors is $2.95.

“Every senior I talk to is watching every dollar,” he said in the release. “A clear $2 fare means they can get to the doctor, pick up a prescription or visit family without calculating the cost of the ride first. That’s practical help for people on fixed incomes.”

He said that fare is important, as travel expenses can lead seniors to stay home more often.

Klein said he would make up the lost revenue by shifting existing funds and “tightening how the city spends,” not by raising taxes and fees.

The release does not say whether the price per ride for seniors’ e-cash fares (which are sold in $5 to $200 denominations) or paper tickets (which are sold in sheets of five or 10) would change. Those fares are currently set at $1.55 per ride for seniors, according to the city’s website.

Incumbent mayoral candidate Scott Gillingham also made a new campaign pledge Wednesday, promising to expand hours at some library branches.

A pilot project would allow the new Mike O’Shaughnessy Library, which will open within the Garden City Shopping Centre in 2027, to match the mall’s regular operating hours. That would include weekday evenings until 9 p.m.

“Sometimes the hours when families really need these library services don’t line up with the hours that the library is open. We want to change that,” said Gillingham.

If the pilot project proves a success, extra hours would be added to at least four additional neighbourhood library branches throughout Winnipeg, he said. He did not specify which branches could be considered.

The length of the pilot project has not yet been determined.

Gillingham expects the initial pilot project would cost “well under $1 million.”

joyanne.pursaga@winnipegfreepress.com