Achi news desk-
Montreal says public transit rides are up 15 to 20 percent among people 65 and older in the six months after it made the service free for local seniors.
The program, which went into effect on July 1 of last year, offers residents 65 and over free transit travel within the city of Montreal and the suburbs on the island of Montreal.
The six-month results were published in the 2025 budget planning document the city released earlier this week.
Montreal also reports that 47 percent of eligible residents have enrolled in the program by the end of 2023.
Among them is 74-year-old Huguet Bergeron, who says she used to be able to afford the regular monthly transit fare of $97, but feels the program helps seniors socialize and take full advantage of their city.
Robert Martin says he plans to enroll in the program when he turns 65 next year, and as someone who has never owned a car, he expects it will allow him to be more mobile.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 27, 2024.
