SOUND OFF: Kids 12 and under can get on board with free transit

Families who use BC Transit will save close to $400 per year for every child 12 and under, and families in the Lower Mainland who use TransLink will save up to $680 per child, compared to the cost of buying a monthly child transit pass.

In Kamloops and other places with BC Transit service, kids 12 and under won’t need a pass or an accompanying parent to ride the bus for free, but kids under five will need to be supervised by someone 12 or older. Children 12 and under with disabilities can also now use HandyDART for free without a pass or identification.

By giving families an affordable and greener alternative to driving their kids to school, we are supporting our shared environmental goals. Encouraging more families to choose transit over more carbon intensive forms of transportation like driving will reduce our province’s carbon emissions.

Lowering the number of cars on the road will also help alleviate traffic congestion, especially during busy morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times for students. And by providing free transportation for our youngest transit users, we are encouraging a new generation of British Columbians to make environmentally friendly choices throughout their lives.

When you’re raising a family, every dollar counts. Your New Democrat government has focused on creating more affordability for B.C. families. We’ve eliminated MSP premiums, created the Child Opportunity Benefit, the Affordable Child Care Benefit and delivered two ICBC rebates.

This move to free transit for kids 12 and under is yet another step we are taking to support families, so they can spend less time worrying about expenses and more quality time with their kids.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Rick Glumac

SOUND OFF: Kids 12 and under can get on board with free transit

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