Regina Transit Fare Hike Decision Delayed Again Amid Council Split
A proposed 10-per-cent fare increase for Regina Transit has been postponed for approximately two more weeks after city councillors remained sharply divided during a recent meeting. The final approval, which requires a bylaw change, was stalled when council failed to achieve unanimous consent for proceeding to a third reading on Wednesday.
Council Vote Results and Timeline
The council voted 6-5 in favor of approving the bylaw through its first two readings, with an identical 6-5 split for the consent vote needed to advance to a third reading on the same day. Since unanimity was not achieved, the bylaw will now face a conclusive vote at the next city hall meeting scheduled for March 25.
Councillors who voted against the measure included David Froh, Sarah Turnbull, Victoria Flores, Shobna Radons, and Shanon Zachidniak. This delay marks a continuation of postponements that began in February at Zachidniak's request, who has been seeking additional time to explore alternative options.
Background and Public Opposition
The 10-per-cent fare hike was initially approved in December as part of Regina's 2026 budget, intended as one of several strategies to mitigate the incoming mill rate increase that was eventually set at 10.9 per cent. However, the proposal has faced significant public backlash.
During Wednesday's meeting, ten delegates spoke out against the increase, emphasizing affordability concerns. Local activist Mandla Mthembu argued that "we ruin accessibility when we create a barrier of affordability and we ruin the community's well-being for those that rely on the bus."
Regina Public Schools trustee Ted Jaleta also opposed the hike on behalf of the division, while Regina Catholic Schools submitted a written statement expressing opposition due to the impact on students. Public sentiment has been further demonstrated through an online petition with nearly 500 signatures and over 80 emails sent to individual councillors.
Council Debate and Financial Considerations
The discussion among councillors evolved into a broader debate about the city's role in subsidizing public transit as costs for fuel and infrastructure continue to rise. Ward 4 Councillor Mark Burton noted that "this 10-per-cent increase doesn't even keep up with inflation," questioning when fare adjustments should occur if not now, especially given advocates' calls for expanded routes and reduced intervals.
In response, Councillor Shanon Zachidniak highlighted that Regina Transit's cost recovery rate of 31 per cent as of 2025 is comparable to other municipalities in Western Canada, according to city staff. She emphasized the need for more time to address community concerns, stating that "there was a question of when the time to do this is. The answer is absolutely not now, because transit users weren't engaged."
The ongoing postponement reflects the tension between financial pressures and public affordability, with the final decision now set for late March.
