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Seniors take free bus to ask about transit By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville Transit's threemonth trial where seniors ride free on Mondays is just a week old, but already drawing considerable attention. Some 30 Oakville seniors from the Halton Multicultural Council's English Conversation Circle at the Iroquois Ridge Community Centre, took advantage of Monday's free transit by riding the bus to the new Oakville Transit Facility for a tour and to ask questions. The trial period, which runs until Sept. 24, was initiated by Ward 2 Town Councillor Pam Damoff and Ward 6 Town Councillor Max Khan and backed by council. It hopes to gauge whether a free-day transit program for seniors makes sense and the results will be considered in the next Town budget process. Former Oakville councillor Mike Lansdown, who helped organize Monday's visit to the transit facility, is a fan. "Hardly any of them (the seniors) drive or have cars... at the moment, they are restricted to as far as they can walk to, so the opportunity to take transit opens up a whole lot of possibilities from the point of view of entertainment, shopping, health and fitness. They can socially interact with a larger cross-section of the community, so it really is an exciting opportunity." Seniors on the tour were enthusiastic and a few launched right into questions before the tour had even started. Oakville Transit Director Barry Cole provided answers with the aid of Mandarin and Spanish interpreters. Cole said on the first Monday of the Oakville Transit trial (July 2) there were 199 rides by seniors. This, he said, is up -- 16 per cent -- from the 142 seniors who rode Oakville Transit at the same time last year. One senior asked why Monday was the free day, as many stores offer seniors' discounts on Wednesdays and sales begin Thursdays. Cole said Monday will be less costly for Oakville Transit, which expects to lose $20,000 in revenue on the trial. Some seniors suggested Oakville follow the lead of transit systems in other countries where a degree of free transit for seniors is offered. Cole said other Canadian cities are also experimenting with free transit noting Ottawa attempted to have free transit for seniors during several days of the week, but ended up offering it on Wednesday alone. Another municipality allowed seniors to ride every day for $1, but it cost around $1 million with no significant increase in ridership. "What we have to do here is figure out what the best program is for Oakville. We need to look at what everyone else is doing, but not copy it, just be aware of it," said Cole. Another person at the meeting said transit still isn't where it needs to be to get people out 9 · Wednesday, July 11, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog ON THE BUSES: Seniors take the bus free on Monday to the Oakville Transit Facility for a tour. of their cars and asked what has to happen for transit to reach that level. Damoff, who helped organize the visit, said transit is expensive and for a greater transit network to take root in Oakville more money has to be allocated to it during the budget process. She also said those who want to see more transit in Oakville need to speak up, particularly at budget time, because those who want to see cuts to transit are already making themselves heard. Many present applauded Cole and Damoff for getting the seniors' trial period. "Thank God for people who are worrying about seniors," said Orlando Alberto Alvarenga, through an interpreter. "Thank you for helping the seniors be active and be more a part of their community." For information about the seniors' transit pilot program or Oakville Transit, visit www. oakvilletransit.com or call 905815-2020. 7 DAYS A WEEK NOW OPEN "To be a supportive and nurturing community where the uniqueness of each child is celebrated" @1 1AM FOR LUNCH,AMAZING WEEKEND BRUNCH, DINNER, COCKTAILS, AND OUR BEAUTIFUL 5000 SQ.FT. IVY GARDEN PATIO! FEATURING LIVE MUSIC, COMPLIMENTARY MUSSEL BAR, $5.00 PINTS OF MILL STREET BREW, MENU AND COCKTAIL SAMPLINGS. AFTERWORK PATIO SOCIAL 6-9PM! KICK OFF TO IVY FRIDAYS IN THE IVY GARDEN PATIO! COCKTAIL SAMPLINGS* AMAZING ATMOSPHERE ON THE IVY GARDEN PATIO! 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