Transit added to fee assistance program

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on May 24, 2023.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Transit users board a bus Tuesday afternoon at the downtown terminal.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The City of Lethbridge announced an expansion of its recreation and culture fee assistance program Tuesday to include bus passes for residents facing financial barriers.

In last year’s operating budget deliberations, city council made the decision to build off the success of the existing recreation and culture fee assistance program and the temporary refugee bus pass program, and an additional $200,000 was added to the budget annually to support subsidized bus passes for both refugees and low-income residents.

General manager of Community Social Development, Andrew Malcolm said this is a program the City has offered since 2015, which initially supported low- income individuals with access to recreation and cultural programs.

“Thanks to the decision of city council in the operating budget in November of 2022, we’re now excited to add in a transit component which will allow a subsidized transit pass to low-income individuals in our community as transportation costs have been a barrier for individuals to access programs, but also to access employment,” said Malcolm.

He explained the program is based on a two-thirds fee coverage. Those who qualify for the fee assistance program will have two-thirds of their bus pass cost covered.

 “You’ll buy your first month at full price and then you’ll receive a three-month pass. Essentially your second two months are for free. An individual would basically be getting a three-month bus pass at an average cost of just over $70 and after three months they are able to reload it for an additional three months,” said Malcolm.

 He said a big component of the program is the fact that in August, refugees will be incorporated into the program.

 “Currently they’re in full subsidization and will continue until August, allowing them adequate time to basically save up enough earnings for that first purchase of the first month,” said Malcolm.

He said the last reporting had indicated that between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2022, they had 706 applications supporting over 1,600 residents in Lethbridge accessing recreation and cultural programming. Sixty Lethbridge organizations were accessed by individuals using this program for activities such as swimming passes and lessons, senior memberships, sport activities, art and music lessons.

City councillor Belinda Crowson, who brought the initiative forward, said they recognize that Lethbridge has one of the highest poverty rates in Alberta and it is one of the cities that has a large number of residents living under poverty level.

 “This is something we’re doing to benefit as many people in our community as possible, to ensure not only they have access to recreation, but that they can actually get to those recreational opportunities,” said Crowson.

 She said this would not only help those wanting to access recreational activities but also help many with being able to get to work, and access stores.

 “We know that staff will be working on tweaking this program as we move ahead so they’ve made changes to it now. But we wanted to work for the public, so if you have any concerns about it contact council, and if you want to use the program contact city staff,” said Crowson.

 She said transit is a social service for many people and they have to be able to use it to access all of our community supports.

 “Last week we had Dawna Coslovi from Green Acres here speaking and one of the things she mentioned is how many of our seniors are experiencing loneliness, and how many of them are finding that they’re not getting access to social supports,” said Crowson.

 She said they hope this addition to the fee assistance program helps those who are experiencing loneliness and mental health struggles from lack of access to supports.

 “There are concerns about people being part of the community, and that’s one of my greatest hopes, that this would build community and build those supports that we need in Lethbridge,” said Crowson.

Funding for recreation and culture programs continues to be available to a maximum of $150 per person per season from January to June and July to December.

 To access the Fee Assistance Program, visit the city’s website for program requirement and qualifications and to apply online or call 311.

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