People are skipping meals to pay for transit in Niagara Falls: city councillor

City officials in Niagara Falls are trying to figure out how to make public transportation more affordable as many residents are reportedly skipping meals to pay their transit costs.

In an open motion to Niagara Falls city council on Tuesday, Coun. Mona Patel spoke about how, according to a recent survey, two-thirds of Niagara Falls respondents indicated they are actively skipping meals to pay for additional expenses.

Patel then noted that half of those people said their largest single expense being supported in lieu of food is transportation costs.

According to Patel, this looming statistic should invoke some serious concern, as Niagara Falls has the highest per capita food bank usage in all of Ontario, with one in seven residents using the food bank consistently.

As a result of these numbers, Patel proposed to the active session of Niagara Falls City Councillors and Mayor John Diodati that rapid solutions must be implemented to safeguard residents.

These include access to free or affordable transportation by providing reduced rates and increased accessibility standards, as well as an expansion of the public transit transfer window from two hours to three.

“This would help households reach food programs without having to pay for two separate trips,” Patel said when addressing council members.

Additional pitched incentives included a pilot project that would provide zero-cost transit access for people looking to access their nearest food bank.

At the time of publication, none of the proposed initiatives have been reviewed or approved by the City of Niagara Falls.