A recent pilot project in Regina showed that providing free transit passes to high school students significantly increased ridership, but the city has determined that expanding the program citywide would come with a hefty price tag of $21.1 million.
Pilot Project Results
From September to December 2025, the City of Regina tested the concept of eliminating bus fares for all students under 18 at F.W. Johnson Collegiate. The results, presented during Wednesday's executive committee meeting, revealed that ridership tripled during the free fare period compared to a subsequent four-month period when regular fares were reinstated.
Approximately half of the students utilized the free passes, and 32 percent continued to ride the bus even after the pilot ended. The city spent $400 to implement the pilot and lost $48,600 in fare revenues.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Despite the positive outcomes, city administration advised against expanding the program citywide in the 2027 budget request. Based on the uptake at Johnson Collegiate, the report estimates that implementing free transit for all high school students would cost $21.1 million. This includes $2.26 million in annual operating costs, $2.06 million in lost fares, and $16.8 million to purchase 12 additional buses to accommodate increased ridership.
Deputy city manager of operations Kurtis Doney explained that nearly all transit routes are currently at maximum capacity, necessitating the purchase of new buses.
“With the type of capital cost behind this investment and what we have going on, I can’t find a bridge to cross that,” said Ward 9 Coun. Jason Mancinelli during the discussion.
Attendance Impact
Councillors also examined school attendance data from the pilot, which showed a one-percent improvement in attendance rates among Grade 9 and 12 students during the free fare period. However, the report cautioned that this data may not directly reflect the pilot's impact, as attendance can be influenced by factors such as class schedules and transportation options.
Ward 2 Coun. George Tsiklis questioned whether the benefits would justify the investment, stating, “Good intentions don’t always equal good policy. I’m not just looking at this from a cost lens, but costs do matter.”
Regina Public Schools trustee Sarah Cummings Truszkowski, speaking as a delegate, shared a letter from Johnson principal Seth Neuls, who noted a “noticeable improvement” in attendance and urged the city to continue the program.
