Article content

The cost of a bus ticket will hit $3.50 within two years if Edmonton Transit officials get their way.

Transit officials say that’s just above the cost of inflation and the increases will offset increases in fuel, labour and power. They outlined the proposed new fees in a report released Thursday.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Ticket to ride: Edmonton Transit asks for price increase Back to video

The plan will need council approval before being enacted. It might be a heated debate Wednesday.

“I do not like it whatsoever,” Coun. Andrew Knack said Thursday. “It’s premature to be even considering raising rates when we’re undergoing a major transit review. Our price for transit is already a little bit cost-prohibitive. To raise it even more without any change in service is really concerning for me.”

The increases, along with increases in most other ticket classes, will bring in an estimated additional $1.5 million the first year, $2.9 million the second and $2.6 million the third. Transit riders will continue to cover about 42 per cent of the total transit costs through their tickets.