Transit users will soon have to dig a little deeper as the City of North Bay's first increase in transit fares in 10 years takes effect on Sept. 1.
The cash fare will rise from $3 to $3.25, with 10-trip cards going up from $27 to $29.25. A monthly adult pass will cost $93, up from $86. A student's monthly pass will rise from $71 to $77. The increases also apply to parabus service.
See the full fare increase breakdown below:
Originally proposed for a July 1 implementation date, the increase was pushed to Sept. 1.
A staff report to be presented in time for the 2025 budget will look at the impact of the hike on lower-income user groups after Councillors Lana Mitchell and Tanya Vrebosch each advocated to examine the ramifications of raising the "reduced" monthly fee from $61 to $66 in committee level meetings. Both Mitchell and Vrebosch also pushed for more consultation with the user groups.
See related: All aboard (almost): Council approves transit fare hikes
As of Sept. 1, those reduced monthly passes and the rest of the fares will rise. Under the present fare structure, a disability pensioner with documented proof of current ODSP registration or CPP disability registration issued by the Government of Canada qualifies for the reduced monthly $61 pass, as do seniors aged 65 and up with an Ontario Senior Citizens I.D. issued by the Government of Canada.
Based on North Bay Transit's projections, an estimated increase in transit revenue of $110,696 annually will be realized under the new fare structure.
