The provincial Discounted Bus Program will continue into the future. At a recent announcement in Yorkton, the provincial government put $1.6 million towards the program, an increase of $60,000 over the past year.
The program, which allows participating cities to offer discounted bus passes to Social Services clients receiving income assistance, began in 2003 in Regina, and was expanded to Yorkton in 2007. The discounted passes are at least $25 below the full fare. The passes are paid for in a partnership between the provincial government, the municipality and the riders themselves.
Saying that the bus is the taxi, ambulance and delivery truck for the community, Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit says that the program is a way to keep people connected with their community.
"It's a really important program, it gives accessibility to transportation to some of society's most vulnerable," says Ottenbreit.
City Councillor Ross Fisher says that the importance of the program will only increase as the city grows and people have to travel further to connect to the things they need. The city is currently running two buses.
"It's more important than ever that we have municipal transportation, and we are pleased to be able to cost share some subsidization to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community are able to ride the bus."
John Denysek, Regional Director of the Saskatchewan Abilities Council in Yorkton, says that their clients rely on the bus to get to employment, access programs, use services and even just meet people.
"Without transportation there would be social isolation which would lead to further issues, transportation is a vital part of the community's infrastructure."
