Transit Rant

[Zonny]

My DS turns five on April 2nd. Hard to believe that five years have gone by!

And with that milestone comes another. Since we've decided to live as a car-free family, we have to start buying him a transit pass.

And how much is a monthly transit pass for a five year old?

$52!

That's only $18 less than what we pay an adult pass. It's crazy!

Rant over, I now return you to your regularly scheduled evening.

[xox2010]

That is RIDICULOUS! That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard... $52?? IMO I think kids under 6 should always get on the bus for free (here in Ottawa it's until 6 I believe).

[ninna]

Ouch. That's a lot of cash to pay for a 5 year old every month for transit. You'd think public transit would have a better system for children...you know, maybe something like they do at the all-you-can-eat restaurants in the USA--where you pay X dollar amount for every year the child is old. That way, you're paying an amount comparable to what gets consumed by the kid

(Gosh, did that make any sense at all?)

But, congratulations on your decision to go car-free. That takes courage, but it's so good for the environment, teaches your little one to be environmentally responsible, and will eventually give him a very good sense of his city with the skills to know how to get around. You'd be shocked at how many people can't use public transit because they don't know how (my DH is one of them).

Even though 52 bucks seems like alot--that's one gas fill up in a car.

[AmberLab]

Ouch. One little thing to take the sting out is save them to claim on taxes (if that program is still around).

Happy early birthday little fella!

[abbasgirl]

Wow! I guess transit wouldn't be an option for large families.

[graciesm]

I pay $140 a year for a bus pass I don't use, I have to pay for it with my tuition but I live out of town so it is of no use to me.

I can't believe it's that expensive for a 5 year old, I'm surprised there isn't a family deal or something.

[Zonny]

I thought it was a lot for a little kid. You pay that until you're 16, after that you have to pay adult fares, $70 for a bus pass! That's dumb too. It wouldn't be SO bad if we had an excellent transit system here. Unfortunately we don't. It's ok, but not great.

But overall, cheaper than owning a car that would be parked in my driveway all day anyhow, because I wouldn't pay $150 a month to park downtown (plus the price of gas right now, ACK). And our bus passes are a tax deduction too, which helps a bit.

And to be honest, he's quite excited about the idea of having his own pass! There's one bus driver in particular who squawks if you haven't signed your pass (no idea why she thinks it's so essential, no one else cares). I wonder what she'll say to him? I'll be like, um, he's not in school yet, his signature is a bit...different?

[matrix82]

It is expensive. I don't know how often you use the bus system with him, would it be cheaper to buy a package of tickets or would you use the bus more than that?

It would be justifyable if the bus system here in Halifax were better .

[Natalka]

Wow, your adult bus pass is cheap! Ours is $71/month. It's $51 for high school students. Seniors are $21.
Children under 5 are free, but I couldn't find a monthly pass price.
Individual price for K-8 is 1.65 (10 for 11.50) ; adult is 2.75 - but there are GoPass cards which are 10 rides at a cheaper rate.

[GoddessDigi]

DH pays $110 a month for his (Mississauga).

[orv]

Its insane isnt it?? same with airfare.. why does DD have to pay an adult fare once she turns two??.. if anything, she took up MORE space as an infant..

[Sally888]

Do they check id? You could probably get away with another year or two not paying if they dont.

[GoddessDigi]

Do they check id? You could probably get away with another year or two not paying if they dont.

I'm worried about that. I think it's free until 3 for Brampton (not entirely sure) and Luna's so big, I'm worried they'll think she's 3 when she's only 2. Blegh.

[greentires4me]

I live in the lower mainland of BC - greater vancouver area...so 1 zone bus pass for myself is 81$ ...but say if I was going to travel to another zone a 2 zone pass is 110$ then to add insult to injury to travel right into downtown vancouver if I was going to use a montly transit pass that 151$ because i would be traveling through 3 zones just to get there.

it says on their website age 5 - 13 is a concession pass which no matter which zone is 46.50$

does your transit do this?

Sunday and Holiday FareCard Special
On Sundays and Statutory Holidays you can use your FareCard to take five other riders with you for free! A total of six riders is allowed: Two adults (14 and older) and up to four children (13 and under) can ride on a single Adult FareCard, West Coast Express 28-day Pass, or Annual Employer Transit Pass. (Does not apply to Concession Passes.)

but which is equally as interesting as did I find this...

Federal Tax Credit

Remember to save your monthly passes – you could be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit! Visit www.transitpass.ca for more details.

for the 6months I used bus passes last year it calculated out to that I get 72.90$ in tax credit

[Zonny]

It is expensive. I don't know how often you use the bus system with him, would it be cheaper to buy a package of tickets or would you use the bus more than that?

We don't own a car, we use the bus every single day. Kids tickets are $1.30 for each ride, so wouldn't be any cheaper.

Wow, your adult bus pass is cheap! Ours is $71/month.

Sounds like your passes are only $1 more than ours?

Do they check id? You could probably get away with another year or two not paying if they dont.

He's a very big kid; he's four feet tall and 60 pounds and has been that size for about a year or more. We get asked how old he is on the bus a few times a month. No one has asked us for ID, but they could.

Besides, I'm not going to teach him that it is OK to lie to save a buck.

Our transit doesn't do the Sunday thing. We do get a tax credit, but it doesn't add up to huge amounts, maybe a free bus pass a year.