Whereas equitable access to mobility is fundamental to full and meaningful participation in local communities, including access to education, employment, services, recreation, culture and community life; And whereas the Province of British Columbia has shown leadership by eliminating user-fee barriers to public transit ridership for people 12 years of age and under; And whereas emissions from transportation generate a majority of community-based emissions in many communities, meaning that changes in transportation options have the potential to have a substantial impact in reducing green-house gas emissions; And whereas forward-looking jurisdictions around the world from Kingston, Ontario to Kansas City, Missouri, to Luxembourg and Estonia are eliminating user-fee barriers to public transit ridership, with residents paying for transit services through the tax system rather than at the fare box: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia work with local governments to introduce bold investments in sustainable transportation networks, including fare-free public transit services in communities that support the elimination of user-fee barriers to public transit ridership.
