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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, November 24, 2011 · 4 Fare hike could ease burden on taxpayers Continued from page 1 Rob Burton pointed out the Oakville Transit cash fare has not increased since Jan. 1, 2009. He argued waiting for the budget process would cost more than $43,000 in lost fares in the new year. The mayor also said many of the residents he has heard from are demanding more of the burden of paying for transit be shifted from all taxpayers and placed on transit riders. "Paying for transit has always involved a mix of fares and support from the property tax. The balance in Oakville has traditionally run at about 40 "Paying for transit has always involved a mix of fares and support from the property tax." Mayor Rob Burton per cent from the fare box," said Burton. "Recently, because we have frozen some fares, the fare box portion has fallen to about 30 per cent. It might have been worse, but we've had a 17-percent increase in ridership. The cash fare adjustment we are discussing will raise the contribution from the fare box by an estimated half of one per cent." 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NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS call (905) 8459742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com Acting now, Burton said, gives transit riders plenty of notice about the increase. Ward 2 Councillor Pam Damoff said the issue is not whether the fare increase is justified, but rather the process by which council proposed to increase it. "We are implementing part of our budget without allowing the public the opportunity to provide input," she said. "As Ms. Seiler said, we no longer have a Transit Advisory Committee, this came out of the blue, and I don't think it is right for us, as councillors, to assume we can make these decisions without allowing the public to comment on it." Ward 5 Town and Regional Councillor Jeff Knoll echoed Damoff's comments and said the Oakville Transit director should be asked to supply additional information about the effect of transit fare increases on ridership. Ward 5 Councillor Marc Grant said council owed it to those living below the poverty line to give them an opportuni- "I don't think it is right for us, as councillors, to assume we can make these decisions without allowing the public to comment on it." Pam Damoff, Ward 2 councillor ty to come forward and discuss something that may have a considerable impact on them. Making a proper decision, he said, requires the presence of the transit director and full public consultation. Ward 6 Town and Regional Councillor, and Budget Committee Chair, Tom Adams said the transit director has stated a one per cent increase in fare creates a .3 per cent drop in ridership. He noted several other municipalities in the GTA are also increasing cash fares. Ward 4 Town and Regional Councillor Allan Elgar said the Town's current budget for Transit is $24 million with the taxpayer shouldering $17 million of that. He also said the cash fare increase affects single fares, not monthly fares and, as such, he can't see how anyone would be negatively affected by this change. In the end, the majority of council votes were cast in favour of the transit fare hike. David Lea can be reached at DLea@oakvillebeaver.com or follow him on Twitter@ DavidLea6. Unlock the door to active retiremen n t living g at Vistamere, Oakville's premier retirement residence. Beautifu f lly decorated, fr f om the casual elegance of the lounge to our professionally landscaped private courtyard, we've designed Vistamere with a relaxed lifestyle in mind. Spacious studios, one and two bedroom units are available to active seniors who want to make the most of their retirement years. Half of our suites have p atio walk-outs, with many y ope ening on to the beautifu f l gardens in our courtyard. There will always be just one seating fo f r breakfast, lunch and dinner in our tastefu f lly appointed dining room. 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