City services | May 11, 2016
Starting today, low income residents in Mississauga can apply for discounted public transit through the MiWay Affordable Transportation Pilot Program, available from June 1, 2016 to Feb. 28, 2017.
The MiWay Affordable Transportation Pilot is a partnership between the City of Mississauga and the Region of Peel.
“The MiWay Affordable Transportation Pilot Program will allow low income Mississauga residents to purchase a monthly PRESTO pass at a 50 per cent discount,” said Geoff Marinoff, Director, Transit, City of Mississauga. “Mississauga joins other municipalities such as Hamilton, York Region and Halton Region in creating an affordable transit program to allow riders who need it most to commute to work and appointments. A report on lessons learned from the pilot is planned for 2017.”
“We know that access to affordable transportation can have a positive effect on social determinants of health,” said Janice Sheehy, Commissioner, Human Services, Region of Peel. “We’re excited to learn more about how we can better help residents participate in the community – such as, going to job interviews, attending special events, visiting family and friends and more.”
Mississauga residents earning an income below the Low Income Measure (LIM) thresholds are eligible to apply for a subsidy of 50 per cent off of a MiWay monthly pass by visiting http://www.povertyinpeel.ca/miwaypilot. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 31 on a first come, first serve basis up to a maximum of 2,500 participants.
For more information, please call 905-791-7800 ext. 8703 or email affordabletransitpilot@peelregion.ca.
The $1 MiWay fare for senior’s pilot program that began in June 2015 will be extended until the results of the Affordable Transportation Pilot Program are available in 2017. The $1 MiWay fare for seniors is available during off-peak hours:
On request, senior riders (age 65+) must present a piece of valid photo identification or a MiWay issued senior identification card to the bus driver to receive the one dollar fare.
Peel Regional Council and the City of Mississauga approved the program following a successful Phase One, which was in place from Sept. 2014 to Aug. 2015. Results of Phase One found that the program allowed residents with limited financial means to access employment and community services.
The Regional Municipality of Peel was incorporated in 1974 on the principle that certain community and infrastructure services are most cost-effectively administered over a larger geographic area. The Region of Peel serves more than one million residents in the Cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the Town of Caledon. For more information on the Region of Peel, please call 905-791-7800 or visit peelregion.ca.
As Canada’s sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 752,000 residents and more than 54,000 businesses, including more than 60 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. Take some time to explore Mississauga’s rich and diverse culture.
Media Contact:
Kimberly Hicks
Communications Advisor, Transportation and Works
City of Mississauga
905-615-3200 ext. 5232
kimberly.hicks@mississauga.ca