'Our peer cities have a LIT pass': Group pushes for low-income Metro Vancouver transit as fare hike looms
As Daily Hive Urbanized reported this weekend, another TransLink fare hike faces Vancouver transit riders this Canada Day, and in the wake of the news, a transit-advocacy group is pushing for low-income options.
Movement, a transit-advocacy group based in Vancouver, suggests that support for a low-income pass is growing, and that this city is one of the only major urban areas that doesn’t offer a discounted pass, adding, “Why not us?”
Movement says cities like Edmonton, Calgary, Halifax, Toronto, and Seattle all have one.
Toronto offers a fair pass discount program for folks between 20 and 64 years of age, who have an income below 75 per cent of the “Low-Income Measure After-Tax threshold.”
With that pass, eligible transit riders can get over $30 off a monthly pass.
Edmonton offers the Ride Transit Program. Seattle has the ORCA card, which significantly reduces fares.
“Transit is a lifeline to services, community, and economic opportunity, and no one should be excluded from transit because they can’t afford it,” Movement says.
Tonight, Langley City Council is scheduled to vote on a motion on a low-income transit pass. If the motion passes, council will direct Langley Mayor Nathan Pachal to write a letter to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, requesting an expansion of the BC Bus Pass Program to include low-income households.
Movement has also built a coalition of organizations in support of a low-income transit pass. The 50+ members of the coalition include the BC Nurses’ Union, Distro Disco, MoveUP, Vision Zero Vancouver, OneCity Vancouver, COPE Vancouver and many others.
If the City of Langley motion passes, which was brought forward by Mayor Pachal, the city will join Vancouver on the list of municipalities that support a low-income pass.
“We’re working with more cities that will be joining over the coming months,” Movement says.
Awesome to see @seanorr bringing forward this motion following @MovementYVR‘s advocacy for a low income transit pass! Write or speak to council (link in replies) and let them know how important it is to have access to affordable transit for everyone! pic.twitter.com/NhrUzkCG5S
— Jam 🏒🏴🇨🇦 (@hoglandsko) May 28, 2026
If you want to get involved, Movement is organizing a rally outside of Metrotown SkyTrain Station on Canada Day at noon, and it’s promising “rousing speeches” and stories of how a low-income transit pass would make a difference.
“All of our peer cities have a LIT pass, and it’s time for us to join them. How can we expect someone to get out of poverty if they can’t access employment, education, or even family supports? The more you think about it, the more you realise that transportation access is as essential to human wellbeing as food and shelter.”
One way transit in Metro Vancouver has become more affordable in recent years is the move to make transit free for kids 12 and under, which it has been since 2021.