Winnipeg launches new low-income transit program

(CTV News file image of a Winnipeg Transit bus.)

WINNIPEG — The City of Winnipeg announced Friday that it’s launching new low-income transit program that will provide a 30 per cent discount for eligible adults in the first year.

The city said by year three people will see a 50 per cent discount.

According to the city’s website, the break down for adult passes will look like this: From May 2020- March 2021 there will be the 30 per cent discount. By April 2021 to March 2022 the discount will jump to 40 per cent, and by April 2022 there will be a 50 per cent discount for adults passes.

Derek Koop, president of Functional Transit said this move is for the community.

“This is a community investment. Not everyone has the ability to access transportation to access medical appointments, meet friends. You know, the city, the provincial, and the federal governments should work together to make sure that’s accessible to all citizens regardless of income,” said Koop.

Residents of Winnipeg who are between 18-64 may qualify for the WINNpass, but they must meet one of the following criteria:

More information can be found online. 

“A household includes every one of all ages who live in the same dwelling and are related by blood, marriage, common-law union, adoption or a foster relationship. The total income is the income level of all household members combined," a spokesperson for the city told CTV News.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic applications for the pass are being taken by mail, fax, and online.

Winnipeg Transit customer service centres are still closed due to the pandemic so approved applicants will have to wait to pick up and load the WINNpass peggo cards with the discounted fares when the centres reopen.