A letter from the ‘Senior Citizens of Airdrie’ with dozens of signatures was presented to Airdrie City council at the Oct. 5 meeting, advocating for an annual senior public transit pass and extended bus service to and from Calgary.
A letter from the ‘Senior Citizens of Airdrie’ with dozens of signatures was presented to Airdrie City council at the Oct. 4 meeting, advocating for an annual senior public transit pass and extended bus service to and from Calgary.
The correspondence requested the City look into the feasibility of creating an annual bus pass for seniors – similar to a pass offered by Calgary Transit – as well as amending Route 900 to stop at the McKnight-Westwinds LRT Station Park-and-Ride in northeast Calgary, and service to the University of Calgary.
The letter argued an annual transit pass would help Airdrie’s senior residents be more independent and have a reliable, affordable way to travel in and out of the city to meet their daily requirements.
“[Annual transit passes] will be very beneficial for [the] senior citizens of Airdrie,” the letter stated. “We senior citizens have very limited sources of income and face difficulties to even meet our regular medical, social, and religious needs.”
Coun. Darrell Belyk said the request seemed “viable.” Coun. Tina Petrow was also interested in requesting City staff look further into the idea.
“I think it is probably cost-prohibitive, but I am open to staff looking into the feasibility of it,” Coun. Al Jones said.
Individuals 65 and older are eligible for the City’s monthly pass, which is currently the only available long-term purchasing option for the group. Monthly passes can be purchased for local service, Route 900, and the downtown Calgary inter-city express (ICE) route at varying costs, ranging from $37.50 for local service, to $79 for Route 900, and $150 for the ICE.
According to the City’s website, Route 901 currently services east Airdrie, while…