Port Moody renews call for provincial low-income transit pass

Port Moody council is once again calling on the provincial government to create a low-income transit pass for adults, arguing the program would improve affordability, increase transit use and help reduce barriers for residents struggling with rising living costs.

The motion builds on years of advocacy by local governments and comes as transit fares have risen in recent years, with supporters arguing Metro Vancouver remains the only major metropolitan area in Canada without a dedicated low-income transit pass for working-age adults.

While discounted transit programs exist for seniors and people with disabilities, councillors said many low-income residents do not qualify.

Coun. Amy Lubik, who introduced the motion, said the issue is one the city has championed before, recalling Port Moody’s advocacy for free transit for children several years ago.

“We do know that inequity in our province is growing, and at the same time, fares increasing by four percent in 2025, and again by five percent in 2026,” Lubik said. “This disproportionately impacts our lower-income community members.”

Port Moody’s previous lobbying efforts contributed to the eventual introduction of free transit for children under 12 and Lubik said she hopes similar advocacy can lead to broader fare affordability.

Lubik argued that research from jurisdictions including London, England, Taiwan and Australia has found low-income transit passes improve access to employment, health care and healthy food while reducing social isolation and increasing opportunities for community participation.

She also pointed to Seattle’s experience, where an equity-based low-income transit pass increased transit ridership.

Coun. Kyla Knowles said similar resolutions have been forwarded in the past to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association and Union of B.C. Municipalities conventions, but noted the primary obstacle has been transit funding rather than opposition to the concept itself.

“I’m absolutely in support of this,” Knowles said. “There is a larger conversation that needs to take place, and that is proper funding of TransLink.”

Mayor Meghan Lahti agreed, saying previous provincial funding for youth transit fares demonstrated the importance of ongoing operating support rather than one-time grants.

She said when provincial funding for free youth transit ended, TransLink was left to absorb the ongoing costs.

“I’m appreciative that the motion . . . is indicating that we wish the province to commit to long-term sustainable funding for this,” Lahti said. “That’s the only way that it can happen.”

Without permanent operating funding, she said, TransLink would once again be forced to find money elsewhere in its budget to continue the program.

Coun. Samantha Agtarap said a low-income transit pass would complement efforts to encourage more people to choose transit over driving while supporting broader poverty reduction goals.

“I really hope that the provincial government can make some movement on this because I think it does go a long way to improving daily life,” she said.

The resolution will now be forwarded to the provincial government as part of the city’s ongoing advocacy efforts for a provincially funded low-income transit fare program.