Editor:
As the 2019 fare-free transit period in Canmore is set to end, I am glad to see the proposal to continue free transit is on the table.
I hope that this is a service that continues in perpetuity and that Canmore can work with the Town of Banff to work towards fare-free transit across the entire Roam Public Transit network.
Having a free public transit system is critical to having an equitable strategy for climate action that people from all classes in society can participate in and benefit from.
It has also been successful at increasing transit ridership, which surely reduces the number of cars on the roads. Seeing that Canmore town council unanimously declared a State of Climate Emergency, continuing free transit is the obvious decision to make.
I am however worried that the policy is entangled with the paid parking initiative. Whatever the public sentiment towards paid parking, it should not be a roadblock to continuing the free transit initiative.
There should be no strings attached in taking this important step towards addressing Canmore's role in climate action.
John Cherkas,
Canmore
