Transit Pass Rebate Program
The City of Duncan’s Council is pleased to announce that it is instituting a 100% rebate on monthly Transit passes purchased by City of Duncan residents, effective January 1st, 2013. This pilot rebate program will run until March 31, 2013, funds permitting. Before the expiry of the pilot program, its success will be evaluated and Council will determine whether or not to continue the program.
In May 2012, the City initiated a 50% rebate pilot program for monthly Transit passes. Despite press releases, notification to Transit pass retailers and local businesses, and placement of posters around the Duncan area, the pilot program had a low number of applicants. Besides increasing Transit ridership, one of the objectives of this program was to gather information from City residents on the barriers to transit use other than the cost. Program applicants are asked to fill out a short survey with their application.
The community’s carbon foot print is largely made up of transportation emissions. In 2007 the community-wide green house gas emissions from ‘On Road Transportation’ was 19,737 tonnes, or 75.3% of all community emissions. The City has set aggressive targets for community greenhouse gas reductions by 2020. The OCP target set in 2010 is to “Reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 33% by 2020, and 80% by 2050, relative to 2007 levels.”
“Without a conscious attempt to influence residents’ patterns, the City will fall short of these targets” expressed Mayor Kent. “With the creation of this monthly transit pass rebate program, and by continuing to improve our pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, we believe we are moving in the right direction.”
To obtain a rebate, City residents will purchase monthly transit passes through normal outlets, and then apply for a refund at City Hall, just as they would for a toilet rebate. Residents will be asked to fill out a short application form, provide proof of residency, and submit a copy of the receipt from the purchase of their transit pass.
The cost of a monthly bus pass is $48 for adults and $36 for students and seniors. Up to $15,000 has been allocated to the transit pass rebate program.
CONTACT: Michelle Geneau, Planner michelle@duncan.ca 250-746-6126
