A local NDP candidate has written to Hamilton's mayor asking him to make transit free on election day, but it seems unlikely that it'll actually happen.

Nick Milanovic, NDP candidate for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, says the cost of transit — $3.25 per trip on HSR when paid in cash — shouldn't keep people from casting their votes on Oct. 21.

"For many people in our city, public transit is the only reasonable way to make it to the polls," Milanovic said in an Oct. 14 letter. "The city should do everything in its power to eliminate barriers to the participation of voters. The cost of transit should not limit someone's ability to cast their vote."

There are council committee meetings this week where councillors could approve such a move, but election day transit isn't on any of the agendas. Eisenberger said he'd welcome free transit on election day — if the federal government paid for it.

"To provide a free day of transit would be complex and cost the city approximately $150,000 in lost revenue," Eisenberger said in a response to Milanovic. "A shortfall that would ultimately need to be recovered by increasing property taxes or increasing fares."

"However, I fully support and encourage any of the federal parties committing to financially sponsoring a free transit day on election day. For my part, I have always encouraged residents to get out and vote, and will do so now with the upcoming Federal election."

Sam Merulla, a Hamilton city councillor, says most candidates will give people free rides to polls, and most polling stations are within walking distance anyway.

"If you need a bus to get to a polling station," he said, "the real problem isn't public transit, but rather the ineptitude of not having enough polling stations."

"Also, why would we download the cost of a federal government election onto the municipal taxpayer?"

That doesn't mean free efforts aren't in place to get people to the polling station. The Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion (HCCI) and the Disability Justice Network of Ontario have rented an accessible bus for election day, says Kojo Damptey, interim executive director of the HCCI.

Anyone who needs accessible transportation can fill out a form asking for a ride, Damptey says. The service is free.

As for HSR, it says it uses its social media channels to encourage residents to get out and vote.

All of the major parties have been talking about transit this election, some more than others.

The Conservatives, for example, want to resurrect a tax credit for bus passes that would save a family of four transit users in the Greater Toronto Area nearly $1,000 a year.

The Liberals point to what they say is the progress they've made over the last four years in transit funding, and pledge another $3 billion per year in stable, ongoing transit funding.

The NDP says it will work with provinces and municipalities that "identify (transit) as a priority" to "help build a path towards fare-free transit."

The Green Party is pledging $3.4 billion per year for transit funding starting in 2028, once an existing transit funding program expires, and the electrification of public transit buses and trains.

In Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, the candidates are Liberal incumbent Bob Bratina, Milanovic, Conservative candidate Nikki Kaur and Green candidate Peter Ormond.