GOVA Transit and GOVA Plus fares will increase by 14 per cent on Jan. 15, following a city council resolution which passed during a recent 2024/25 budget meeting.
City staff had originally proposed increasing bus fares by seven per cent, but a successful amendment by Ward 1 Coun. Mark Signoretti saw to it that the increase doubled.
Ward 8 Coun. Al Sizer tacked on a friendly amendment for the increase not to affect bus pass and six-ride card rates for seniors, disability pensioners and youths (concession fares).
The city’s elected officials were near-unanimous in supporting the amendment, which helped cut the tax rate by $555,000 annually. Only Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc and Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann voted against it.
Fare prices remain unchanged and are available for passengers aged 65 and older, recipients of a disability pension and youth ages five to 12. A six-ride card is $15, and a 31-day pass is $56. Infants, age four and under ride transit for free.
Cash fare for all riders is $4 effective Jan. 15, an adult six-ride card is $20, and a 31-Day pass is $100.50 for adults and $85.75 for students.
Day passes will jump to $11.50 from their current $10. These provide a day of unlimited travel for up to five people, including no more than one adult.
GOVA Transit operates a fleet of 59 accessible buses, seven days a week, covering more than 4.2 million kilometres annually. GOVA Plus provides door-to-door transportation for persons with disabilities who are unable to use conventional transit services.
The City of Greater Sudbury subsidizes approximately 64 per cent of the cost of operating a public transit service with assistance from federal and provincial gas tax funds. The remaining budget, from fares, helps to partially offset direct operating costs, such as fuel and maintenance.
For fares and more information about GOVA Transit, visit greatersudbury.ca/transit.
