DISCOUNTED BUS PASSES COULD MAKE TRANSIT MORE AFFORDABLE IN YORKTON

A popular partnership program between the Government of Saskatchewan and the City of Regina that offers discounted bus passes to low-income residents in Regina is being made available to four other communities, including Yorkton.

At an announcement renewing the partnership between the City of Regina and the Government of Saskatchewan on an ongoing basis, Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford also announced that her department is currently contacting municipal officials in four other communities to invite them to participate. Yorkton, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Prince Albert are all being invited to take part in the low-income resident discounted bus pass program.

"Transportation plays a key role in building an independent life, and participating fully in the community," Crofford said. "We are pleased to be able to help make it more affordable, and enable people to use the public transit systems in their communities to help find and keep jobs, and take advantage of education and training opportunities, and simply get to places they need to be."

The discounted bus pass program in Regina began in 2003. It currently enables eligible low-income residents to purchase monthly bus passes for $15 in Regina instead of the standard rate of $54. During the first year, the City of Regina issued 21,455 discounted monthly passes. That number increased 14 per cent to 24,440 in the second year of the program.

Eligible residents include people receiving the Saskatchewan Assistance Plan, the Transitional Employment Allowance, Saskatchewan Employment Allowance and the Provincial Training Allowance. Applicants must provide proof of eligibility, such as a statement of benefit. The Government of Saskatchewan contributed nearly $269,000 to support the program in Regina last year.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Debbie Clark Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306) 787-8689