Refunds considered for youth bus passes

Winnipeg Transit may soon offer refunds to those who bought student bus passes before the program that offers youth rides free of charge.

The provincially funded Free Youth Transit Pass Pilot program will provide no-cost rides to youths between the ages of 11 and 17 and high school students between the ages of 18 and 21.

Schools are set to dole out the passes on a staggered basis this month. Students in Grade 11 and 12 were able to begin claiming them last week, while Grade 9 and 10 students should get them the week of Sept. 21. Students in grades 6 to 8 should receive passes during the last week of this month.

If city council approves, Transit will be directed to create a refund program for already paid youth fares that were not used.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said that could include partial refunds of monthly and other passes.

“We want to help families to recover some of the expenses that they’ve laid out that they’re not going to need,” said Gillingham.

City council will vote on the matter on Sept. 24.