City Prepares to Implement Changes to Definition of Senior from 55 to 65

Dec 18, 2015

For Immediate Release                    
Friday, December 18, 2015

On December 15, 2015, City of Greater Sudbury Council approved an amendment to the miscellaneous user fee by-law that redefines the starting age for discounted rates for leisure, parking and transit services from age 55 to age 65. . Changes affecting leisure and recreation programs and parking passes will come into effect January 1, 2016. Changes affecting Greater Sudbury Transit fares will come into effect March 1, 2016.

Passes to City leisure and recreation programs - including ski passes, fitness centres, swim passes and skating passes, - if purchased before December 31, 2015, will remain valid until their expiry date. For example, a skating pass which covers September 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 will be honoured. Once passes expire in 2016, the new definition for a seniors’ discount will be applied. 

As of January 1, 2016, hourly parking at Tom Davies Square and Centre for Life/YMCA will be discounted for seniors’ age of 65 and older.

Changes to the Greater Sudbury Transit fare structure for ages 55 to 64 take effect March 1, 2016. As of that date, passengers age 65 plus will qualify for a senior’s discount. Discounts will remain in effect for disability pensioners of any age. Regular fares will apply to all other passengers. These changes will also affect ride cards and 31 day passes. As of March 1, previously purchased older adult ride cards and 31 day passes may only be used by passengers age 65 plus. A Greater Sudbury Transit photo identification card is required for discount fares.

A survey of municipalities across Ontario found that Greater Sudbury Transit was only one of two public transit providers offering older adult discounts starting at age 55. None of the surveyed municipalities provided parking discounts starting at age 55. It is expected that changes to the definition of an older adult will add $175,000 in revenues to the 2016 municipal budget.

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