Transit agencies across Canada are struggling with persistently depressed usage, Hamilton’s HSR is no exception. Photo credit: Twitter/HSR
The future of public transit is at a crossroads, with ridership levels so far unable to recover since the COVID pandemic.
The COVID pandemic resulted in a cultural shift in the workplace. Many workers moved to remote or hybrid set-ups during the pandemic, reducing their reliance on public transit.
For example, Toronto’s TTC was reported as under 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels according to November 2022 data.
The TTC increased fares by 10 cents in 2023 to help address its $366 million budget shortfall.
Montreal is estimating $77.7 million in losses in 2023, ridership of 70 to 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, and possible service cuts.
Hamilton’s HSR transit system is no exception.
Although the 2022 ridership numbers have not yet been published by the city, the HSR system saw users take 21,659,637 rides in 2019.
That number dropped to 11,781,830 in 2020 and 9,972,964 in 2021.
Virtually every transit system in Canada is struggling with losses. Meanwhile, activists are calling for fares to remain low, for service levels to remain the same as before the pandemic, and even for transit service to be made “free.”
The Hamilton and District Labour Council has called for “free transit” for students aged 17 and younger, anyone 60 and older, anyone on Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Ontario Works (OW), and anyone with a medical disability.
Doing so would significantly increase the HSR’s deficit.
The City of Hamilton already significantly subsidizes the transit system.
The City also already has a pilot program through the Hamilton Public Library (HPL) to provide Presto passes and “free transit” use for kids aged six to twelve.
So far more than 4,500 bus passes have been distributed by HPL.
The program ends on April 30, 2023, or until their supply is used, and a McMaster University research group will be reporting the findings of the pilot to City Council at a later date.
Hamilton also offers a half-price transit pass program for working adults between 18 and 64 years old based on family income. That program operates on a first come, first served basis.
The city also offers “free transit” for seniors over 80 who have photo identification and an eligible Presto card.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
