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Transit subsidy for poor will cost taxpayers BY DAVID FLEISCHER dfleischeryrmgcom York Regions transit committee wants to introduce subsidized fares for disabled residents and low- income earners The question is how to do it The regions transportation experts warned politicians a sub sidy contradicts its own goals of minimizing costs and raising rev enues since 60 per cent of Yorks transit costs are subsidized with property taxes However affordable transporta tion is vital the regions lowincome earners and disabled residents told the meeting The region could follow neigh bouring Durham regions Access Pass program which cost taxpayers there about 500000 last year Anyone in Durham on the Ontario Disability Support Pro gram can purchase a monthly bus pass discounted from 97 to 39 Purchasers must present ODSP statements when obtaining the pass In 2009 more than 8000 passes were sold York now has about 8000 dis ability support recipients and 112500 people below the low- income cut off For York chairperson Bill Fisch the region has a social responsibil ity to fill Regional politicians said they support subsidize transit in prin ciple but want staff to tell them how they can make it happen That would be welcome news to Andrea Sager My Ontario disability pension gives me 1000 a month said Ms Sager of People Ensuring Quality a group affiliated with Community Living Newmarket Aurora 1 spend most of this money on rent and food leaving me with 100 to 200 a month for transportation entertainment and food Ms Sager found she could no longer afford a transit pass and now walks more buying YRT tick ets when she needs to People Ensuring Quality collect ed 327 signatures on a petition ask ing the region to subsidize as much as per cent off the fare that is 26 for 10 tickets or 325 cash per ride But Durhams model based on Ontario disability program does not include all those who are dis abled and Vaughan Mayor Linda Jackson wants the region to come up with a more inclusive plan Staff is expected to present another report outlining options for a transit subsidy to the regions transportation committee For the fall story go to COME WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT FEATURIN The EVERSTAR WARRANTY This includes Limited Lifetime Engine Warranty Lifetime Safety Features Bumper to bumper 125 point service safety certification Vehicle History and Owner Verification Report NEWMARKET 18100 Yonge Street Newmarket 9058951171