Whereas British Columbians receiving Income Assistance continue to struggle to meet their basic needs, despite recent needed increases to monthly rates, leaving little funds available for transportation, including transit; And whereas the monthly 52 transportation allowance that British Columbians are issued as Disability Assistance, is not sufficient to off-set the costs associated with purchasing a monthly transit pass in most regions; And whereas access to transit is vital to many individuals in accessing health care, seeking employment, and contributing to the community: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the Provincial government to investigate avenues of providing free or further subsidized transit passes, regardless of region, to those British Columbians receiving Income or Disability Assistance.
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction It is important to note that resolution B114 does not accurately reflect the current transportation supplement or BC Bus Pass Program for recipients of disability assistance. Starting in January 2018, the Ministry implemented a new transportation supplement for people receiving Persons with Disabilities PWD assistance. This ensures that people receiving disability assistance can choose either a transit pass or the transportation supplement of 52 per month. If an individual chooses to receive a monthly transit pass, the cost for this pass is covered in full by the program. Individuals who obtain transit passes through the program do not pay any amount out-of-pocket. Alternatively, if an individual does not wish to receive a transit pass, or lives in areas where no transit is available, they can opt to receive the 52 supplement instead. The Ministrys BC Bus Pass Program provides approximately 100,000 transit passes to people receiving disability assistance, and low-income seniors. The transit pass for seniors is administered differently. Seniors pay a 45 annual administration fee for their transit pass, and as they are not otherwise receiving assistance from the ministry, do not have the option of receiving the 52 supplement instead. For people receiving income assistance or disability assistance, the Ministry provides employment-related transportation supports. A confirmed job supplement may be provided to purchase essential transportation and work-related items, and WorkBC Employment Centres can provide transportation supports to help attend job interviews, participate in WorkBC Employment Services, or to start a new job. During public consultations for TogetherBC, the Provinces first poverty reduction strategy, the Ministry heard that people who are struggling to meet their basic needs face difficulties in accessing safe and reliable transportation, and that transportation is often one the first costs cut in households living in poverty. Government recognized a gap in TogetherBC with respect to transportation supports. To address issues like this one, the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, announced in September 2019 a 5 million grant to UBCM for the Poverty Reduction Planning and Action Program. Through this program, local governments can apply to UBCM for funds for short-term projects intended to reduce poverty at a local level, such as pilot projects offering low-income transit passes. The Province will continue to work across ministries and with other levels of government to address this issue and to make life more affordable for all British Columbians.