Brampton Transit increased Presto fares to $3.10 a ride for adults on May 12, 2019. (Akash Sharma)
Akash Sharma
Adult riders of Brampton Transit will have to pay more to travel from one place to another in the city of Brampton due to a recent fare increase on May 12.
Alex Milojevic, general manager of Brampton Transit, announced last month that prices would increase in mid-May.
He said cash fares, GO fares, and all other categories of fares including child and youth prices will remain unchanged.
The 10-cents a ride fare increase to $3.10 was implemented in order to add additional revenue for the city and to add more buses to the routes. Monthly Presto passes for adults go to $128 from $124.
The Brampton 11A bus providing service to Humber College. (Akash Sharma)
The extra revenue from the fare increase will generate $1.1 million for the city.
“I come five days a week from Brampton to Humber College and yesterday fares were increased by which I am facing a huge problem,” said Harman Singh, a Humber North student.
He said the fare increase will affect his monthly budget.
Milojevic said the increase in revenue for Brampton Transit will help fund the addition of five 60-foot long and seven 40-foot long buses which are expected to be launched in the city by the end of 2019.
“Our main motive is to provide good and comfortable service to the passengers,” said Sachin Sehdev, a Brampton Transit driver.
He said passengers should not feel like they are paying more while getting nothing in return. Sehdev said the extra buses will provide better service and comfort to riders.
Sehdev said people are asking him why they are paying more for their fares when they tap their Presto card on the bus.
However, the fare increase will help to ensure that passengers have a better option when commuting from one place to another.
Above are the changes of Presto adult fares in Brampton. (Brampton.ca)
Launching new buses this year will provide 81,000 more service hours for riders and will help them easily commute at night as well.
Milojevic said Brampton seniors will soon receive fare reductions by the end of 2020.
“We are also planning to work on $15 monthly pass for seniors in Brampton by which they can feel relaxed in terms of fares,” he said.
He said the past couple of years have seen an increase in Brampton’s population, the main reason behind adding new bus service to the city.