Today, the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, announced the expansion of the Bus Pass Program to seniors over aged 65 who are receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement and youth receiving services from the Youth Services Program. The initiative will help create more inclusive communities, as well as lead to social and economic benefits for more people with low income.
Councillor Ian Froude, City of St. John’s, and Kelly Heisz, Executive Director, SeniorsNL joined Minister Abbott, for the announcement. The expansion of the Bus Program is supported by a Provincial Government investment of $2.1 million and is delivered in partnership with the City of St. John’s.
To obtain a free bus pass:
- People who newly qualify for Income Support who reside in, or move into, the areas of St. John’s, Mount Pearl or Paradise will be mailed instructions on how to obtain their free bus pass.
- People currently in receipt of Income Support have already received bus passes. For people requiring a GoBus pass, they must first be registered as a GoBus user and then can request the pass by calling 1-877-729-7888 or emailing buspass@gov.nl.ca.
- Youth receiving services from Youth Services Program will receive a free bus pass through their regular, ongoing contact with their Children, Seniors and Social Development social worker.
- Seniors receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement can call the Metrobus customer service line at 709-722-9400 for further details. Metrobus anticipates these free bus passes will be issued to eligible seniors starting June 1, 2022.
Quotes
“As part of Budget 2022 and in partnership with the City of St. John’s, our government is pleased to invest $2.1 million to extend and expand the Bus Pass Program as this will help to enhance the quality of life and overall well-being of people with low income who live in areas served by Metrobus. Through greater access to transportation, individuals will have the opportunity to avail of affordable goods and services, connect with family and friends, participate in community activities, attend medical appointments, and for some individuals, create easier access to the labour market.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“Our goal is to make public transit accessible to all users, so the City of St. John’s is pleased to hear that the income-assistance bus pass program has been fully funded for 2022. With this support from the Provincial Government we are able to expand the program to include seniors who receive GIS, and youth receiving services from the Youth Services Program.”
Councillor Ian Froude
City of St. John’s
“I am so pleased to see that the Bus Pass Program has been expanded to include seniors who are receiving GIS. We know that having access to public transportation supports both social inclusion and healthy aging, and this program will provide the opportunity for these seniors to be more active and engaged in their community.”
Kelly Heisz
Executive Director, SeniorsNL
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Media contacts
Khadija Rehma
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
khadijarehma@gov.nl.ca
Susan Bonnell
City of St. John’s
709-690-9285
sbonnell@stjohns.ca
Kelly Heisz
SeniorsNL
709-740-3874
info@seniorsnl.ca