Hamiltonians have three fare options for HSR. Tap a PRESTO card, $2.50, deposit a ticket, $2.50, or pay $3.25 cash, minimum. Cash could cost more because HSR doesn't give change.

Charging higher fare for cash is discriminatory and tantamount to extortion on those least able to support such a burden. It seems anyone can board HSR for $2.50, but a closer look shows it's not that simple.

PRESTO, a reloadable balance card used across Ontario, costs $6 and has a minimum load amount of $10 at a time. Other places where PRESTO is the main payment method the minimum requirement has been removed, however, that may only apply to cash loads as the website still shows $10 minimum. Cash can only be used at 39 locations in Hamilton, otherwise, funds take 24 hours (or more) to load. Upfront cost for one fare ranges from $10, for those who already have PRESTO, to $16, for those who don't, which requires purchasing from one of a few locations or waiting up to a week for it to be mailed.

HSR tickets are available at 101 locations across the city. More accessible than PRESTO, but with its own issues. Tickets are not sold individually, rather in strips of five. The upfront cost of a single fare is $12.50; middle of PRESTO card's range, but no overhead non-fare costs. Tickets are not only the cheapest fare but their use for anything other than a ride is limited.

If fare costs $2.50 it should cost $2.50 for everyone, not just those who can afford to buy into the privilege. Those more likely to need to pay cash are also those for whom an extra 75¢ is prohibitive. Homeless, people with mental health issues, transients, disabled and elderly, why do we require them to pay more for a ride by designing barriers to access for cheaper fares?

HSR says it plans to eliminate tickets entirely, accepting only PRESTO and correct change. This would only hurt and further marginalize vulnerable populations. Simply having fares does this already; putting barriers on fares will exacerbate it.

Many issues other than the 'cost of entry' detailed above disproportionately affect marginalized and vulnerable populations. Many charity and socially motivated organizations give clients tickets for appointments, interviews, getting to the organization itself, etc. Tickets are the cheapest option and have limited other uses, a possible concern for some organizations. These organizations already pick up the slack for government's policy failures; should we ask them to pay higher costs for their good deeds? Should we ask that they help fewer people?

PRESTO passes available to organizations for scenarios like these have been mentioned, but praising extra steps as the solution for artificial invented problems is laughable. Who will qualify to get these passes? What rubric will determine worthy organizations and unworthy? They won't be as prevalent as tickets, they'll be less accessible, and harder to obtain, a burden these organizations will be saddled with. How many smaller organizations will this hobble? What about the citizen's ability to do good? No more giving someone in need a spare ticket or two. Will people carry spare cards? Certainly not.

Some issues affect everyone. Anyone taking HSR twice a day needs at least 20 fares every fortnight, the frequency which many are paid. I assume many have this routine; every payday you spend $50 on transit for sufficient fares until the next payday. Four strips of tickets, $12.50 each, or $50 on PRESTO. Surplus tickets can be left home or somewhere safe, PRESTO can only carry the full amount. If something bad happens someone with tickets might only lose $12.50, someone with PRESTO could lose up to $50. Another issue is replacing lost fares quickly. Almost anywhere in Hamilton you're within walking distance of a place selling tickets, or a friend or co-worker might have a spare one. Replacing a fare card means getting somewhere they're sold or ordering online and waiting for the mail.

If Hamilton council is dedicated to an EDI approach they cannot allow HSR to proceed as planned. Transit is a public service, it should be treated as one. Unfortunately, Hamilton has a history of treating transit as charity, doling out crumbs and expecting eternal gratitude. HSR's current fare system is discriminatory and puts undue burden on marginalized and vulnerable populations. Suggesting increasing this inequity is unconscionable. Under an EDI approach transit should be improved as much as possible and free for everyone.

Stewart Klazinga lives in Hamilton's Vincent neighbourhood

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