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Affordable Transit Pass Open to OW, ODSP Recipients

Starting June 1, 2009, the City's Affordable Transit Pass Program is open to Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients with earnings.

By , Last Updated Wednesday, June 03, 2009

The City of Hamilton issued the following press release on June 1, 2009:

Starting June 1, 2009, the City's Affordable Transit Pass Program is open to Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients with earnings.

The program was initially approved by City Council in November 2007 for working residents living with a low income, but in April, City Council approved expanding it to Ontario Works and ODSP recipients with earnings.

The program gives approved applicants the opportunity to purchase an HSR adult monthly bus pass for half price. The current price of an adult monthly transit pass is $79.

To apply for the program, residents must be employed on a full-time, part-time or casual basis, 18-64 years of age (not including those who are eligible for student and seniors fares), and either be receiving Ontario Works or ODSP, or have a family income that falls below the 2006 Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-off (LICO).

For applicants living with a low income, the application process includes submitting a completed application form along with last year's Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency, and four recent consecutive pay stubs.

Application forms are available at http://www.hamilton.ca/support or by calling (905) 546-2590.

Ontario Works or ODSP recipients who meet the program requirements can complete and submit the same application form on their own, or work through their case manager to complete and submit it. A Notice of Assessment and pay stubs are not required because their employment information is already on file.

Within five business days of applying for the program, applicants will receive a letter in the mail from the City's Special Supports Program, indicating whether or not they have been approved for the program.

The letter is good for six months, and must be shown at the HSR Ticket Office at 36 Hunter St. E. each time a pass is purchased. Passes can only be purchased at this location and only one pass can be purchased per month. The pass is for the applicant's use only, and is for use on HSR transit only (not DARTS).

A limited number of affordable bus passes are available each month through the program, and will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

The program will be evaluated on an ongoing basis to determine if it will run beyond December 2009.