The Niagara Region must still approve this, as the commission needs more to buy buses, and other rising costs such as fuel and insurance
Niagara Transit Commission hoping it'll get a 5.88% operating budget increase for next year.
General Manager Carla Stout says for riders, the commission is still going with a uniform $3.50 fare, regardless of the service you take, or long the ride is, starting Canada Day.
She adds the region has to approve the increase, that'll like happen next month. "For people who don't do these budgets for fun, that means that 3.71% of that 5.88% is us putting money aside in our reserves to buy buses, and replace equipment."
She says what is not talked about enough is how much it costs to replace buses, which have an average life of 12 years.
She adds the increase comes in the face of increasing service demand, of which may not happen until 2026. "Every community in Niagara is looking at a wish list of what they want from transit in their community. What we're trying to do is balance that with affordability."
She also points to increases in fuel and insurance costs.
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