Share this Story : Deachman: Ottawa city budget — raising public transit fares is not the answer Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Local News Columnists Deachman: Ottawa city budget — raising public transit fares is not the answer The budget's proposed transit fare increases will hurt the youngest and oldest riders. That's short-sighted when there are other solutions available. Get the latest from Bruce Deachman straight to your inbox Sign Up Author of the article: Bruce Deachman Published Nov 14, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here .
Or sign-in if you have an account. Rushing toward a fare increase? OC Transpo operations need a big injection of cash. Photo by Tony Caldwell / Postmedia Article content Wednesday’s draft budget wasn’t too surprising, with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe by and large sticking to his election-campaign promise to keep property tax increases as low as possible — in this case 3.
9 per cent, up from the 2.5 per cent he managed for each of the last two years. About one-quarter of the proposed increase for 2025 comes from an eight per cent jump in the transit levy, as the city wrestles with a public transit problem that is a financial and operational nightmare — a sinkhole for both taxpayers’ dollars and their dreams of reliable, affordable transit.
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