Winnipeggers rally to protest bus fare hike

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This article was published 11/12/2017 (3021 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dozens of transit activists braved blustery weather outside city hall today to oppose a 25 cent bus fare hike, one day before councillors will vote on the 2018 Winnipeg budget.

A coalition claiming to represent more than 100 organizations, including anti-poverty activists and students, chanted “no service cuts” and “no fare increase” while holding signs with slogans such as “I vote transit”.

“Many of us, like myself, a low-income Manitoban, can’t afford a 25 cent fare increase,” said Harry Wolbert, an anti-poverty and transit activist who attended the rally.

The mayor’s Executive Policy Committee voted to amend the budget last week to keep all transit routes running in response to bus-rider backlash. They also committed to studying a low-income bus pass, but left the 25-cent fare hike in the budget.

“We’ve won half the battle,” Wolbert said.

Wolbert, the chair of the Winnipeg Transit Riders Association, said people with disabilities, those on fixed-incomes, newcomers, seniors and the poor will be hit hardest by the new transit fare, which will increase to $2.95 for adults.

He added fare evasion will increase because people won’t be able to afford to pay.

“If I were Mayor Bowman, I’d seriously reconsider,” he said.