As the end of 2024 approaches, so does the end of the city’s free teen bus pass pilot project.
For some students, taking Orillia Transit makes more sense than waiting for a school bus, and the free pass is important to the families who use this service.
“It’s a good chunk of change. The financial hardships add up,” said Joe Cornelisse, whose 16-year-old son takes city transit to school. “I believe that a lot of the kids were taking the bus more … from what I can see, because I ride the bus, too.”
Cornelisse regards his ongoing experience with the pilot project as a positive one. Although he knows city council can be busy with many concerns, he said it would be nice to see local politicians look for ways to maintain the free teen pass now as opposed to when the pilot is over.
More than 1,000 teen passes have been handed out since its implementation in March, says a city official.
“Our transit operator has reported minimal misuse of the teen pass, which was discussed during implementation, that this may occur,” Shawn Crawford, the city's director of legislative, building, parking and transit services, said in an email.
However, some transit drivers observed that bus users, near but above the age of 19, can purchase a teen pass online and use it with no repercussions.
The pilot project is one of two that were recommended to city council in March 2023. Both the free teen pass and a reduced fare for seniors were implemented in March 2024. Seniors pay $2 instead of $3. The pilot project is due to end in February 2025.
“If a community allows 80-year-olds to thrive, then it allows opportunities for everyone to thrive,” said Louise Cohen, co-chair of the Age-Friendly Orillia Advisory Committee.
Cohen said a team of three committee members rode every transit route over the course of two weeks to get a feel for the transit system. With checklists in hand, they noted everything from the way the bus was driven to access to buttons to safety and comfort features.
They offered their findings to the transit advisory committee, which was then presented to city council.
Among various needed refinements to transit services, the city opted to improve the system with these programs.
Age-Friendly Orillia, focused on supporting the elderly, supported both the reduced fee for seniors and the free teen pass. It provided eight recommendations, including improved driver training and redesigned routes to include major connections.
“Seniors have used their seniors transit reloadable card for more than 6,600 individual rides,” said Crawford of the program's success to date.
Numerous transit drivers have noticed an increase in the number of seniors who ride city buses since the reduction in fees. They also noticed that, initially, it was not communicated well and many seniors were and still are unaware of the program.
They believe there are still some flaws to the senior pass. It is a reloadable card that must be purchased and scanned in order to obtain the reduced rate.
Orillia transit is “a good system,” said Mike Cox, a retired though still part-time transit driver.
“It should be free for them,” he said of the senior fare.
Cox said because of Orillia’s senior demographic — noting many of them are low income — more support should be offered to them.
“They built this town,” said Cox.
Cohen, who participated in the research presented in the committee's Transit Rider Experience Report, said the endeavour generated a positive collaboration between groups. She said that although adjustments and improvements can always be made, Age-Friendly Orillia is happy with the results.
“I know that we had an impact … It demonstrated to us how we might do this in the future,” she said of the work Age-Friendly Orillia does with the transit advisory committee and city council.
Crawford also commented on the intent to sustain these programs.
“To ensure sustainability and accessibility to transit, we are continuously reviewing our transit program and working with the transportation and parking working group to bring recommendations forward to council for its consideration regarding transit services,” he said.
Feedback about these programs is welcome.
“All are welcome to provide their feedback by emailing [email protected],” Crawford said.
