
Province assists with transit costs
From left to right, MLA Jackie Lovely, Camrose Mayor PJ Stasko and Seniors, Community and Alberta Social Services Minister Jason Nixon talk about transit at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus.
By Murray Green
The province is providing $1.7 million in funding to expand low-income transit programs in six more communities across the province.
Low-income residents and students in Lethbridge, Camrose, Hinton, Leduc, Red Deer and Spruce Grove are now able to apply for the pass.
Jason Nixon, Alberta Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services made the announcement at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus on September 26.
“Many Albertans rely on public transit on a daily basis to get them to where they need to go. Students are faced with rising tuition costs, seniors who no longer drive anymore and many other Albertans. These new agreements to expand low-income transit passes will help individuals and families move through their communities with ease. Funding will cover the municipality’s cost of subsidizing the low-income transit program, as well as an additional 10 per cent for administration costs,” said Nixon.
“Keeping transportation affordable is critical. Anything like this where you can eliminate a monthly expense–that can be very significant and we need to do more. Lower transit costs is just one way to help,” Nixon said.
He also pointed out the government has eliminated the provincial fuel tax.
“One of the things that I have heard is affordability. Students, families and business owners are concerned. This is just one more step to make life affordable,” said Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely.
Camrose Mayor PJ Stasko said, “The city has been providing transit options to the community for the past eight years. This makes transit more affordable to our citizens. We look forward to working with our neighbours and the province in the future on potentially facilitating a regional transit system,” Stasko said.
Camrose previously piloted a route to Edmonton called the Camrose Connector, but funding for the project ended after two years.
Nixon said Alberta’s transportation minister would soon be talking to municipalities about their intercity transit needs.
“I’m excited to see what comes from it. And I can assure you the premier has heard that need. We’ll see what happens after consultation, what will be the permanent solution to that. But clearly we need to address it,” responded Nixon.
In late 2022, Edmonton abandoned a plan for a regional transit system with about 10 other capital-region partners, with some councillors expressing concerns about cost and inefficiency. Camrose was not a part of the project.
The government provided low-income passes in Edmonton and Calgary previously.
By Murray Green
The province is providing $1.7 million in funding to expand low-income transit programs in six more communities across the province.
Low-income residents and students in Lethbridge, Camrose, Hinton, Leduc, Red Deer and Spruce Grove are now able to apply for the pass.
Jason Nixon, Alberta Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services made the announcement at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus on September 26.
“Many Albertans rely on public transit on a daily basis to get them to where they need to go. Students are faced with rising tuition costs, seniors who no longer drive anymore and many other Albertans. These new agreements to expand low-income transit passes will help individuals and families move through their communities with ease. Funding will cover the municipality’s cost of subsidizing the low-income transit program, as well as an additional 10 per cent for administration costs,” said Nixon.
“Keeping transportation affordable is critical. Anything like this where you can eliminate a monthly expense–that can be very significant and we need to do more. Lower transit costs is just one way to help,” Nixon said.
He also pointed out the government has eliminated the provincial fuel tax.
“One of the things that I have heard is affordability. Students, families and business owners are concerned. This is just one more step to make life affordable,” said Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely.
Camrose Mayor PJ Stasko said, “The city has been providing transit options to the community for the past eight years. This makes transit more affordable to our citizens. We look forward to working with our neighbours and the province in the future on potentially facilitating a regional transit system,” Stasko said.
Camrose previously piloted a route to Edmonton called the Camrose Connector, but funding for the project ended after two years.
Nixon said Alberta’s transportation minister would soon be talking to municipalities about their intercity transit needs.
“I’m excited to see what comes from it. And I can assure you the premier has heard that need. We’ll see what happens after consultation, what will be the permanent solution to that. But clearly we need to address it,” responded Nixon.
In late 2022, Edmonton abandoned a plan for a regional transit system with about 10 other capital-region partners, with some councillors expressing concerns about cost and inefficiency. Camrose was not a part of the project.
The government provided low-income passes in Edmonton and Calgary previously.