An association helping low-income residents of Winnipeg is calling on the province to reconsider the proposed changes to Winnipeg transit.
The City announced last week during its 2018 preliminary budget proposal that it was seeking approval to raise transit costs for commuters.
Increases that would take effect in January would see bus rates rise to $2.95 per person.
That would be a 25 cent increase, up from the current fare of $2.70.
Monthly passes will also rise, by 10-dollars per person.
READ MORE: Winnipeg Transit rates on the rise, routes possibly cut: City of Winnipeg Budget
Changes to bus fares could increase barriers for low-income residents, including Indigenous people, Refugees, immigrants, and people with disabilities.
At a press conference held Monday, Refugee Response Coordinator of the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations, Seid Oumer voiced his concerns of the bus hikes.
“We believe more fare hikes could push the low-income families away from what we consider to be minimum acts of living standard,” said Oumer. “They need to spend a higher proportion of their income of bus fares.”
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