GRT mulling seniors’ organization proposal as it looks to boost ridership

Bill Atwood

Observer Staff

EVEN AS TRANSIT RIDERSHIP AND revenues lag behind pre-pandemic levels, Grand River Transit is mulling over a proposal that would see fare-free rides from some members of the public.

The Waterloo Region Age Friendly Network last month pitched regional councillors on a plan that includes offering free rides to seniors on Sundays and Wednesdays and for children under the age of 12 every day.

According to the organization’s Rick Chambers, the idea has been part of an ongoing conversation for a number of years.

There are plenty of good reasons for such changes, he says, pointing to the prospect of increased ridership, helping the region meet its climate and seniors’ strategy goals, and creating lifelong transit users.

“The region has environmental goals that it has set for itself. And if we continue to use vehicles or cars with one driver in them and congested roads….we’re not going to reach that goal. So that’s one reason to reduce congestion on the roads and reduce single-occupancy cars and reduce our air pollution,” Chambers said.

“GRT is always complaining about not getting back to its rider→ GRT 4