MiWay Low-Income Pilot Programs Make Transit More Affordable

Today at General Committee, Mississauga City Council received information on two MiWay Low-Income Pilot Programs. The programs allow residents to access affordable transit through a City partnership with the Region of Peel and designated Mississauga Food Banks.

The MiWay Affordable Transportation Pilot program, first introduced in May will be extended until March 31, 2017. The new Discount Transit Ticket Program Pilot for Mississauga food banks, will run from November 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017.

“The Affordable Transportation Pilot Project and the addition of the Discount Transit Ticket Program Pilot build on the City’s strategic goal of ensuring affordability and accessibility,” said Geoff Marinoff, Director, Transit. “It is important that we look for ways to provide affordable transit options for those who need and rely on it to commute to work and appointments.”

The Discount Transit Ticket Program Pilot for Mississauga Food Banks will allow designated food banks identified by the Region of Peel to purchase transit tickets at a 50 per cent discount. The pilot will operate from November 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017.

The MiWay Affordable Transportation Pilot is a partnership between the City of Mississauga and the Region of Peel. 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 October 31 on a first come, first serve basis up to a maximum of 2,500 participants.

Background

Peel Regional Council and the City of Mississauga approved the MiWay Affordable Transportation Pilot program following a successful Phase One, which was in place from September 2014 to August 2015.  Results of Phase One found that the program allowed residents with limited financial means to access employment and community services.

The Discount Transit Ticket Program Pilot for Mississauga Food Banks, was created to better understand the transit needs for food bank clients and support affordable transit in the city. The pilot will allocate $50,000 from the low income transit pilot program in 2017 and matching funds will be transferred to the MiWay revenue budget to offset any revenue shortfall.

Upon completion of the pilot programs, a report will be brought back to Council for further direction.

For more information on the MiWay Affordable Transportation Program, please call 905-791-7800 ext. 8703 or email affordabletransitpilot@peelregion.ca.