[homeles_ot-l] Fwd: Urgent - Budget 2013 Public Consultations - Re Community Pass Fare Increase

[Terrie]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Catherine Gardner <catherinegardner at magma.ca>
Date: 26 October 2012 11:25
Subject: Urgent - Budget 2013 Public Consultations - Re Community Pass Fare
Increase
To: Catherine Gardner <catherinegardner at magma.ca>


** ** ** **

Re: Budget 2013 Public Consultations – Re ****Community** **Pass**** Fare
Increase****

** **

Dear Community Members,****

** **

If you or someone you know uses the ****Community** **Pass**** (persons on
ODSP or registered Para Transpo users) this important message is for you.***
*

** **

The ****Community** **Pass**** will be going up 9.4% or an amount of $3.00
per month. While I personally do not have a problem with the pass going up
I do have some major concerns which I would like to pass along to you.****

** **

*Facts:*

****Community** **Pass**** has not had an increase for a couple of years. I
would personally prefer to have an increase every year instead of a larger
catch up increase in one year. I was informed that they are trying to get
the ****Community** **Pass**** aligned with the senior’s pass over the next
couple of years.****

** **

The ****Community** **Pass**** will be the *only pass* seeing an increase
on January 1st, 2013. All other passes will be increased on July 1st, 2013
with the other passes seeing an average increase of 2.6 – 2.9%.****

** **

July 1st, 2013 – ticket prices will be going up by $.20 each.****

** **

***Community**** Pass and Para Users:*

**Community** **Pass** and Senior pass holders are the only ones who must
top up their passes on **Para** between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Monday to
Friday. Community pass holders are the only ones who must top up after 9:00
a.m.****

** **

*AODA Transportation Regulations:*****

It is important to note that because OC Transpo crosses over to ****Quebec**
** they fall under Federal Transportation Regulations and do not have to
follow the (AODA) Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act,
however OC has stated over and over that they have agreed to follow the
AODA in Spirit and Intent.****

** **

According to the AODA starting on January 1st, 2013 transportation
providers who provide both conventional and specialized (**Para**) service
must provide the same fare options for the conventional and specialized.
The AODA also states that the fares for both conventional and specialized
transportation must be at fare parity.****

** **

I do not see the AODA being followed in regards to the transit fare payment
options and or fare parity especially for those using the Community Pass
and or those who must travel to and from the rural areas or from one rural
area to another.****

** **

With the ****Community** **Pass**** being the only pass requiring a top up
after 9:00 it is important that we stress this at the budget meetings. We
must also stress that the only requirement for the seniors pass is that one
be over the age of 65, the only requirement for the U-Pass is that you are
a full time student at Carleton or ****University** of **Ottawa****.
However for the ****Community** **Pass**** you must either be on ODSP which
is a lot lower than seniors on GIS or you must be a registered Para Transpo
user.****

** **

Public consultations start on Mon. Oct. 29th. Click on the following link
http://ottawa.ca/en/city_hall/budgettaxes/budget/budget_2013/consultation/index.htmto
find a consultation meeting in your area. Please note that the meeting
at City Hall on Thurs. Nov. 1st will provide special needs supports.****

** **

I would appreciate it if you could forward this email onto others who may
be affected by the increases.****

** **

Thank you and have a good day!****

** **

Catherine Gardner****

Community Advocate, Freelance
Photojournalist<http://www.pbase.com/catherinegardner>
****

(613) 726-3609****

[image: Photo]****

** **



-- 
Terrie ( mocharebyl at gmail.com )
“If you see an injustice being committed, you aren't an observer, you are a
participant.” June Callwood
'If it is not on the menu  cook it yourself'  Buffy St Marie
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