The Regional District of Nanaimo wants to look at the feasibility of providing free transit to youth in the region.
The RDN board endorsed a recommendation, at their regular meeting on Feb. 11, that directs staff to prepare a report to be presented to the transit committee on the budget and logistical implications to provide free transport in the most cost-efficient manner in two options: for all youth below 18 and to all Grade 9 students.
The motion was authored by Nanaimo director Ben Geselbracht, who based it on the successful program initiated in Kingston, Ont., where free passes were handed to Grade 9 students including some educational materials.
"They saw a dramatic jump in ridership in youth in their transit system," said Geselbracht. "And so, I think a similar thing can be done with all youth below 18 but I was just being cognizant on scope of implementing programs and say 'if there's not the appetite or it is too expensive to go to all youth under 18, that we'd first start with a smaller demographic and then build from success."
Nanaimo director Ian Thorpe and Electoral Area E (Nanoose Bay) director Bob Rogers opposed the motion.
"There's no such thing as a free ride and this represents potential increase in service levels which will impact our economic bottom line," said Thorpe, who added the RDN have already examined the Kingston model in 2019 and would prefer not to do it again.
"I am not convinced that the time for staff in looking at this again is going to be worthwhile, or in fact, implementing this concept would be worthwhile, feasibly or financially."
Nanaimo director Leonard Krog said he is a "believer in universal programs and general taxation to support it so everybody gets it. I take director Gessebracht's point was made in the Kingston model, the habits we form in our youth are the habits we generally will follow the rest of our lives."
Krog feels it would be worthwhile to research what the cost would be and to be able to advocate further transit use.
"I certainly support looking into what the cost would be and if we can encourage more transit users at a younger age," said Stuart McLean, Electoral Area H (Bowser, Qualicum Bay, Deep Bay).
