Hopping on the bus now less expensive for riders in Mississauga, Brampton and Oshawa
Published February 26, 2024 at 9:18 am
Getting places by bus just became a little more affordable and easier in Mississauga, Brampton, Oshawa and elsewhere in the GTA with a new public transit plan that takes effect today.
Introduced earlier this month by the Ontario government, the One Fare plan allows transit users to now pay only once as they can transfer for free between MiWay, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, York Region Transit, GO Transit and TTC buses among others.
The provincial government estimates the plan will save riders an average of $1,600 annually.
In early February, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown described the initiative as a “significant boost” for the community.
“With Brampton Transit leading the country in ridership growth – a 160 per cent increase in the decade before the pandemic and a remarkable 30 per cent rise over pre-pandemic levels – this program will further enhance public transit’s accessibility and affordability in Brampton, while providing substantial savings for commuters,” Brown said in an earlier news release from the province.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his government is “on a mission to keep costs down” for people across the province.
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“One Fare will eliminate double fares and put $1,600 back into the pockets of transit riders. Alongside the hundreds of dollars we’re saving for drivers by cutting the gas tax, scrapping road tolls and eliminating the licence plate sticker fee, we’re providing commuters with real, tangible relief,” he said earlier.
Fully funded by the Ontario government, One Fare will lead to some eight million new rides every year and will make cross-boundary travel more affordable and convenient for students, seniors and other commuters across Mississauga, Brampton and the entire GTA, the province said.
The province adds that One Fare builds on improvements the government made in 2022 to eliminate fares between GO Transit and several transit agencies in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.