While they agree it’s a worthwhile initiative, Brampton city councillors aren’t on board with the cost of offering discounted transit passes to low-income riders.

“To be brutally honest, you might as well give everybody $1,000 and tell them to buy a bus pass,” said Coun. Jeff Bowman reacting to a report before Community Services on Nov. 16 proposing a joint pilot program with Peel Region. “To try and implement this program seems astronomical.”

Committee approved a motion that essentially directs staff to renegotiate Brampton’s participation in a regional program offering 2,500 discounted transit passes.

Peel has been running a similar project with Mississauga and is now proposing that Brampton also participate.