Calgary Public Transit II - Page 121

You Need A Thneed · #**2401** Posted **Mar 1, 2011, 2:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkKeyo

It feels good to see a lot of improvements all at once; They seem to be increasing communication, and I like that. Although, the closure of downtown last weekend was as much a pain as always.

As a resident of the mid-NW, I'm glad that route 8 is somewhat useful now, although it only forms part of a useful "outer circle route" that would work better if route 430 had the same frequencies.

Anyone been past City Hall to see what work they did over the weekend?

Also of note, they released the 2011 transit route map (more than a year after the previous version) 3 weeks before the schedule changes, and therefore it doesn't have routes 100 and 445 on it. Why not wait 3 weeks and include the fairly major change that route 100 will make?

Both routes 100 and 445 will change routes when Metis Trail opens up all the way to CHB. It's probably best to wait until then.

frinkprof · #**2402** Posted **Mar 2, 2011, 11:14 PM**

I don't think there's too many seniors on here, other than Old Man Freeweed, but here's a news story regarding seniors' transit fares nonetheless.

Quote:

City could hike seniors' transit passes

Seniors currently pay $35 annually

By Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald March 2, 2011 3:29 PM

Calgary seniors' massive discount on transit passes appears to be on its way out, as aldermen showed favour for a new policy that would bring rates for the elderly closer to those for youth.

The city charges seniors $35 for annual transit passes - regardless of their income - but youth pay $651 to ride buses and LRT for 12 months.

Proposed changes to the Fair Calgary Policy would bring the standard rate for senior citizens somewhere between $36 and $54 a month.

Aldermen didn't approve the reforms Wednesday at a committee hearing, wanting city staff to reconsider whether 65 is the ideal or sole benchmark for old age, and how such changes would square with low-income discounts.

[...]

Council has previously considered ending the deep discounts for senior transit use, but balked at dinging one of the most perennially vocal and likely-to-vote demographic groups.

Link to full article

fusili · #**2403** Posted **Mar 2, 2011, 11:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by frinkprof

I don't think there's too many seniors on here, other than Old Man Freeweed, but here's a news story regarding seniors' transit fares nonetheless.

I am going to start calling him that. "Old man Freeweed" is ranting again. "Watch out for old man Freeweed kids, he can get real nasty."

MichaelS · #**2404** Posted **Mar 2, 2011, 11:32 PM**

I have to say $35 a year seems ridiculously low for a senior's transit pass to me. Don't know what would be acceptable to everyone, but I think there is qutie a bit of upward room from $2.92 per month.

MonctonGoldenFlames · #**2405** Posted **Mar 2, 2011, 11:33 PM**

i say we respect our elders and let them ride free.

MichaelS · #**2406** Posted **Mar 2, 2011, 11:36 PM**

I'd like to think I am respected (in real life, maybe not on this board, ha), does that mean I get a free ride? How about respecting teenagers? Or war veterans? Seems like a slippery slope to give them a free ride for "respect".

frinkprof · #**2407** Posted **Mar 2, 2011, 11:42 PM**

I say we should reduce adult and youth fares instead. Maybe up the senior rate a bit.

Radley77 · #**2408** Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 12:28 AM**

FYI: bit of backgrounder on historical Calgary transit fares that I found on the wayback machine and compiled...

Also, household income by age of the head of each household:
Age 15-24: $ 30,952
Age 25-44: $ 58,773
Age 45-64: $ 64,366
Age 65-74: $ 41,989
Age 75+: $ 33,685

Reference: http://www.tetrad.com/demographics/canada/census/custmtabincome.html

UofC.engineer · #**2409** Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 12:28 AM**

Most seniors got their licenses taken away(Thank God), so I think making them pay $35 a year is reasonable.

Plus, many of them live on fixed incomes which inflation eats away at.

Ferreth · #**2410** Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 12:33 AM**

1/2 price for seniors with a further discount for low income seems reasonable to me.

srperrycgy · #**2411** Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 1:29 AM**

Like my earlier tweets, those seniors that have the means to pay more, should. Those seniors that do not, should not.

DizzyEdge · #**2412** Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 3:08 AM**

If anyone's curious, $35 in 1998 dollars is $45 today.

UofC.engineer · #**2413** Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 4:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

Like my earlier tweets, those seniors that have the means to pay more, should. Those seniors that do not, should not.

I disagree, when you implent policies like that it takes away personal economic incentives. Although I'm sure discount transit passes are outside the scope of my argument.

One for all and all for one.

Tax breaks and similar policies aren't always the best way.

Bassic Lab · #**2414** Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 4:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by UofC.engineer

Most seniors got their licenses taken away(Thank God), so I think making them pay $35 a year is reasonable.

Plus, many of them live on fixed incomes which inflation eats away at.

Not that there is no problem with poverty amongst seniors, there is, but it is easy to over blow it when comparing income by age. On average, seniors face lower expenses than other age groups. The lack of children and mortgage payments help a great deal. I agree that we should heavily subsidize transit for the unfortunate souls trying to scrape by on CPP. That said, there is no reason why people cruising by on a two thirds pension, having previously paid off the house, and with no dependent children should get an annual transit pass for $35. When your biggest expenses are, in order, vacations, property tax, and werther's originals for the grandkids, you can get by making significantly less than the average family.

I know we were all raised to respect seniors but when we were little seniors were the people who beat the Nazis; they deserved our respect. Pretty soon the average senior will be a baby boomer; do we really want to respect them? Think of the seventies and shudder.

UofC.engineer · #**2415** Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 5:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassic Lab

I know we were all raised to respect seniors but when we were little seniors were the people who beat the Nazis; they deserved our respect. Pretty soon the average senior will be a baby boomer; do we really want to respect them? Think of the seventies and shudder.

Hahaha, when you say that I think of 🞵🞵🞵🞵 carpeting, moustaches and 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 parties.

I understand your point but all I'm saying is that when you some people paying $35/year and others paying $1020/year for the same service those who are around the threshold line will want to move into the lower bracket.

That is what I mean by taking away incentive.

kw5150 · #**2416** Posted **Mar 3, 2011, 5:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelS

I'd like to think I am respected (in real life, maybe not on this board, ha), does that mean I get a free ride? How about respecting teenagers? Or war veterans? Seems like a slippery slope to give them a free ride for "respect".

How about lack of money an no one in their life?