City buses in Prince Albert operate Monday-Saturday, an adult fare costs $2.50 (file photo/paNOW staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Getting to the polls

Council debates free transit for election days

Sep 17, 2019 | 8:15 AM

Prince Albert city council is pondering offering free bus rides on all election days, including the forthcoming Oct.21 federal vote.

“We already do it for our municipal election,” councillor Terra Lennox-Zepp told paNOW. “Why not provide that for our federal election as well to help to increase access for people to be able to vote.”

However, several councillors argued during Monday’s executive committee meeting that it should not be the city’s responsibility to fund transit for federal or provincial elections.

“I don’t think it’s our job to be paying for a service that campaigns do right now,” councillor Dennis Ogrodnick told council, referencing rides that candidates give voters to the polls. “We shouldn’t be subsidizing those political parties.”

City council voted not to prepare a report on the cost of providing free bus rides for election days, as suggested by councillor Evert Botha. It was noted by council that previous reports done regarding free transit for municipal elections and street fairs indicate it could cost between $90-600 per day.

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Lennox-Zepp said that free transit days are a way to get people who do not normally use the buses to try out the system, potentially bringing in more revenue in the future.

“If the routes make sense to them and they’ve tried it for free they are more likely to buy a cash fare,” she said.

Council will vote on the proposal at their next decision-making meeting later this month.

alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom