Regina Transit Advocates Mobilize Against Proposed 10% Fare Increase
A coalition of citizen groups in Regina has launched a vigorous campaign urging city council to reverse a recently approved 10% increase to all bus fares, arguing that the hike will disproportionately impact vulnerable residents and potentially decrease overall transit usage. The increase, approved during December budget talks, is scheduled to take effect in April pending final bylaw approval expected later this month.
Essential Service, Not Luxury: Coalition's Core Argument
"Public transit functions as an essential public service rather than a discretionary luxury, and affordability is central to its effectiveness," emphasized Terri Sleeva of the Regina Citizens' Public Transit Coalition during a Friday news conference at City Hall. The coalition, which includes multiple advocacy organizations, contends that even a seemingly modest 10% increase creates significant financial strain for students, seniors, and low-income families who depend on buses for daily transportation.
Advocates gathered at City Hall to present their case directly to council members, delivering dozens of letters from residents expressing support for affordable public transit. Ward 8 Councillor Shanon Zachidniak, who received the correspondence, acknowledged the public sentiment, stating, "Residents are clearly telling us this is not the way to save money."
Real-World Consequences of Fare Increases
Atticus Kolody-Watt from Better Bus Youth, another organization supporting the campaign, highlighted the practical implications of fare increases. "Public transit connects people to employment, education, health care, child care, groceries and community," Kolody-Watt explained. "The consequences to this are not theoretical; they are lived realities."
The coalition points to historical data showing that the last fare increase in 2017 resulted in decreased yearly ridership. Sleeva expressed concern that another ridership decline could be used to justify limiting future bus service expansion, creating a detrimental cycle for Regina's transit system.
Comparative Analysis Reveals Disparities
Advocates have also raised concerns about comparative transit funding, noting that according to recent city reports, Regina's proposed fares would exceed those in Saskatoon and Calgary despite the city spending the least per capita on public transit. This discrepancy has fueled arguments that the fare increase represents poor policy rather than necessary revenue generation.
The campaign has gained momentum through multiple channels:
- An online petition that collected over 300 signatures in its first week and remains open until the fare bylaw reaches council chambers
- Support from ATU Local 588, the labor union representing Regina Transit employees
- Continued calls for residents to write their city councillors expressing opposition
- Public demonstrations and media outreach to raise awareness
Looking Ahead: Council Decision Pending
With the bylaw requiring final approval later this month, advocates maintain hope that council members will reconsider the increase. The coalition argues that maintaining affordable transit serves broader community interests beyond immediate budgetary concerns, supporting economic mobility, environmental sustainability, and social equity throughout Regina.
As the debate continues, organizers emphasize that transit affordability directly impacts thousands of Regina residents' daily lives, making this decision crucial for the city's future development and accessibility for all citizens regardless of income level or transportation needs.
