Starting in September, children under age 12 who are accompanied by an adult will be able to ride Codiac Transpo for free across the tri-communities.
The plan is based on a similar under 12 free ride concept which is already underway in the City of Dieppe.
Angela Allain, Director of Public Transit, told Moncton City Council that the aim is to reduce carbon emissions and to help keep transit affordable and accessible to families with younger children.
“A lot of our ridership, our growth ridership, is younger people, along with newcomers,” said Allain who noted how children growing up and riding the bus will support future ridership potential.
“We will have a registration process in each community and they will get a bus pass specific for this, when they sign up.”
Allain said the budget impact will be minimal with an estimated loss of $36,000 per year for the City of Moncton.
Children under age six already ride the bus for free.
A communications campaign will be rolled out soon to create more awareness in the community.
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