'It'll be cheaper to take a taxi' -- riders blast HSR fare hike

Transit riders are not happy about the prospect of having to pay more.

By Dana Brown, Last Updated Wednesday, November 28, 2007

(Originally published in the Hamilton Spectator on November 27, 2007.)

Transit riders are not happy about the prospect of having to pay more.

"In my perspective, it's just a ridiculous idea," said student Albert Kang, 20. "I think it's a really bad idea."

Many HSR riders are not welcoming news they might have to pay an extra 10 or 15 cents a ride come Jan. 1.

"It's supposed to be public transit ... the way it's climbing up, it'll be cheaper to take a taxi," said frequent rider Audrey Jarrett, 87.

James Stitt, 43, said the increase will be tough for the average person.

"It's too much," he said. "It's already too much."

Others, though, are not as bothered by the potential increase.

John Golden, 58, said compared with places such as Toronto, fares in Hamilton are still less.

The city has been using a large portion of its gas-tax funding to stave off fare increases, although prices were increased in June.

Ryan McGreal, co-ordinator of the Hamilton Transit Users Group, said council needs to invest in transit and build a better system rather than losing riders with higher fares.

"It's a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem," he said. "With less money to go into it, it's hard to improve services, and without better service it's hard to get more people to ride it."

Ward 4 Councillor Sam Merulla said he does not support the proposed hike because there's a correlation between increased fares and decreased ridership, which would only affect those most economically marginalized, such as the working poor, students and seniors, he said.

Councillors will also hear a staff recommendation today to endorse a pilot program to subsidize monthly passes for low income earners.

If the committee accepts the transit recommendations, city council will vote on them Wednesday night.

How transit fares here compare with rates in other Ontario cities:

HAMILTON

Adult cash fare: $2.25 (proposed: $2.40)

Adult ticket: $1.75 (proposed $1.85)

Student ticket: $1.40 (proposed $1.50)

DARTS fare: $2.10 (proposed $2.20)

TORONTO

Adult cash fare: $2.75

Adult ticket: $2.25

Student/senior ticket: $1.50

BURLINGTON

Adult cash fare: $2.50

Adult ticket: $2.00

Student/senior ticket: $1.60

LONDON

Adult cash fare: $2.50

Adult ticket: $1.76

Student ticket (Grades 7 to 12): $1.43

OTTAWA*

Adult cash fare: $3

Adult ticket: $1.90

Child ticket (ages six to 11): 95 cents

*No student or senior ticket rate