The city is changing and adding to its program that supports residents facing financial barriers with bus passes and recreation and culture. The fee assistance program was expanded earlier this year and it will again evolve as of Aug. 1.
Part of the changes includes making bus pass subsidies for refugees the same as other program participants.Â
Residents with refugee status will now be able to apply for the program to get 2/3 of their transit fares covered. With the changes, refugees will have to pay for the first month of their bus pass, before getting the next two free. They will also have to be approved for the program the same way other residents are, online or by the fee assistance team.Â
The expansion also includes making the fee assistance program available for Access-A-Ride users.Â
The fee assistance program has been around since 2015 and from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31 last year, it awarded 706 applications and assisted 1,615 residents, ranging in age from infants to 83 years old.Â
According to the city, 60 Lethbridge organizations were accessed by residents using the program for activities such as swimming passes and lessons, senior memberships, sport activities, art and music lessons.Â
BACKGROUND: City expands fee assistance program to subsidize transit for low-income residents and refugees
