Clarke Road High's Free Bus Passes: A $900K Investment

In a significant move for Clarke Road Secondary School, the pilot program proposing free London Transit passes for Grade 9 and 10 students has caught the city's attention. With a staggering price tag of $900,000 spread over two years, this initiative aims to make commuting easier for the students of the east-end school.

This project is currently under review and has been rescheduled to launch in fall 2025 instead of the initially planned fall 2024. The pushback allows officials to ensure the program is financially viable for both the school and municipal government. Ward 5 Coun. Jerry Pribil echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the need for improved services and cost-effectiveness for the future.

Under the blueprint, the pilot will start with Grade 9 students and expand to include Grade 10s in its second year. In its first phase, the program would accommodate 225 students, and by the second year, the number would rise to 450 students. Clarke Road Secondary School was selected due to its location being well-served by several transit routes, making it an ideal candidate for this initiative.

However, several questions remain about the program's rollout. The staff report flags a lack of clear objectives and questions surrounding funding beyond the two-year trial period. To address these concerns, city staff plan to collaborate with London Transit, city hall, and the Thames Valley District School Board to clearly define the responsibilities of each entity involved in the pilot project.

One of the standout advantages of the free bus passes, highlighted by Pribil, is their flexibility. Students will have the freedom to utilize the passes beyond their school commutes. This can greatly aid their mobility around the city, encouraging independence and accessibility to various opportunities outside of school hours.

The decision to defer the project's launch was made with a majority vote from the city council. Out of the 15 council members, 13 voted in favor of the deferment, with Sam Trosow and Susan Stevenson being the only dissenters.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the city, which has seen its contribution to the London Transit budget increase from $45.8 million in 2023 to $58.3 million this year. As the city moves forward with this proposal, all eyes will be on the next steps that will determine the feasibility and impact of free transit passes for students at Clarke Road Secondary School.