In a bid to encourage more Handi-Transit riders to use the conventional system more often, a report is calling for changes to the way Sudbury Transit charges them fares.
Under current policies, someone who pays for a Handi-Transit pass can't transfer the pass to the conventional system. That means they have to pay again should they want to board a transit bus.
A recommendation headed to the community services committee on Monday calls for the city to harmonize the fares, which would make the Handi-Transit pass good for rides on all city buses.
“In 2015, Greater Sudbury Transit’s average cost per passenger for specialized transit services was $25.82, as compared to an average cost per passenger of $4.59 for conventional transit in the same year,” the report says.
“Due to the costly nature of providing specialized services, measures should be in place to ensure that only those who require specialized services are requesting trips, thereby reducing capacity constraints and ensuring a proper level of service for those in need.”
All city buses can accommodate people in wheelchairs, which means their ability to take regular transit is based on their ability to get themselves to the bus stop.
“Where the ability to do so is not restricted by environmental factors, the conventional fixed route system provides the flexibility to travel spontaneously without having to book a trip two days in advance,” the report says.
“The conventional fixed route system thereby becomes a more convenient mode of transportation.”
Current policies not only discourage Handi-Transit users from taking conventional buses, the report says, but adds to the congestion for other Handi-Transit users trying to book trips.
Under the proposed changes, Sudbury Transit drivers would manually record trips by Handi-Transit users, since the current fare system can't accept passes issued for the specialized buses.
People who require a support person receive cards that allow their support person to ride with them for free.
“These changes in practice would provide flexibility for the user in choosing the right service provided by Greater Sudbury Transit for their unique travel needs,”the report says.
“In turn, the shift from specialized to conventional transit will alleviate some of the capacity issues being experienced in the Handi-Transit system, and increase ridership on the conventional fixed route system.”
The community services committee meets Monday morning at 11:30.
