Regina Transit Fare Hike Officially Approved by City Council
After weeks of deliberation and postponements, Regina City Council has finalized a significant increase to public transit fares through the official passage of the new Transit Fare Bylaw. The decisive vote occurred during Wednesday's council meeting, where members narrowly approved the measure with a 6-5 majority, clearing the final procedural hurdle for implementation.
Fare Structure Changes Effective April 8
The approved increase amounts to a substantial 10 percent across all fare categories, scheduled to take effect on April 8. This adjustment represents the first transit fare increase in Regina since 2017 and comes during a period of record ridership, with the city reporting 7.8 million bus rides in 2024 and an impressive nine million rides projected for 2025.
Specific fare changes include:
- Single cash fares rising from $3.25 to $3.50 per ride
- Electronic payment fares increasing from $2.90 to $3.20
- Adult monthly passes climbing from $88 to $97
- Youth monthly passes increasing from $60 to $66
- Senior monthly passes rising from $30 to $33
- Post-secondary student passes moving from $78 to $86
Notably, free transit access will continue for youth aged 13 and under despite the broader increases affecting other youth categories.
Council Division and Public Opposition
The council vote revealed significant division among elected officials, with Councillors David Froh, Sarah Turnbull, Victoria Flores, Shobna Radons, and Shanon Zachidniak voting against the fare increase. This opposition reflected broader community concerns, as transit users and advocacy groups had mobilized against the hike through petitions and public campaigns emphasizing affordability and accessibility issues.
Councilor Zachidniak had previously attempted to delay the February vote in hopes of identifying alternative revenue sources that wouldn't burden transit riders, though no viable alternatives emerged during the extended deliberation period. The measure faced additional postponement on March 11 when council initially failed to pass the final bylaw reading, highlighting the contentious nature of the decision.
Budget Context and Historical Perspective
The fare increase originated during December budget discussions as part of a broader financial strategy that ultimately helped reduce the projected 2026 mill rate increase to 10.9 percent. While unpopular with many constituents, the measure represents the city's attempt to balance budgetary constraints with maintaining public transit services during a period of growing ridership.
This decision marks a significant shift in Regina's transit pricing after seven years without fare adjustments, occurring alongside ongoing discussions about potential fare-free transit pilots for high school students and other accessibility initiatives. The narrow council approval underscores the challenging balance municipal governments must strike between fiscal responsibility and maintaining affordable public services for residents.
