VICTORIA - About 300 people protesting on the steps of the British Columbia legislature cheered when an advocate called the government mean and shameful for introducing a fee for a bus pass that has been free.

Inclusion B.C. spokeswoman Faith Bodnar says the government announced a $77-a-month increase in disability rates in last month's budget, but also introduced a $52 monthly bus pass fee.

She says the disability rates were increased for the first time in nine years, though people with disabilites won't pocket much because they'll now have to pay to take the bus.

Bodnar says the bus pass fee ends up cutting the monthly disability hike to between $11 and $25, depending on which bus service a person with disabilities uses.

Social Development Minister Michelle Stilwell says the government is providing $170 million over three years to increase disability rates, and the bus pass change is an attempt to introduce fairness and choice across the system.

Twenty-three-year-old Eryn Rolston was among the protesters, and says she will be forced to decide between buying food or taking the bus starting in September.