A recently obtained access-to-information request reveals all data regarding the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s low-income bus pass program.
In October 2023, 5,291, or 59 percent of 8,932 eligible adults, had active bus passes, including 468 GoBus passes. 627, or 60 percent of 1,046 eligible children, had active bus passes, including 5 GoBus passes. 529,151 total rides were taken in a seven-month period from April 1, 2023, to October 31, 2023, including 169,736 transfers.
In September 2021, 4,985 or 56 percent of 5,805 eligible adults had active bus passes, including 365 GoBus passes. 542 or 56 percent of dependable children ages 12 to 17 had active bus passes. 694,965 total rides were taken in a 12-month period from September 2020 to September 2021. Of those 671,136 rides were taken by adults, 97 percent of total rides and 23,829 rides were taken by dependable children aged 12 to 15 for 3 percent of total rides.
32 percent of adults aged 18-34 with activated passes accounted for 23 percent of total adult rides, 34 percent of adults aged 35-49 with activated passes accounted for 36 percent of total adult rides, and 34 percent of adults aged 50-64 account for 41 percent of total adult rides.
Single adult households accounted for 78 percent of rides, couples accounted for 5 percent, single parents accounted for 13 percent, and couples with children accounted for 3 percent.
Female adults accounted for 44 percent of rides, male adults 56 percent, and gender diverse less than 1 percent.
Download the ATIPP file below:
Matt Barter is a fourth-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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