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David Templeton made sure to shine up his 1974 Triumph Spitfire for the British Car summer picnic held Saturday at Waterloo Park. Sufhenatien s Proposal not good enough, says former Waterloo councillor simple reduction in the A;;i::; of Grand River sit bus passes for certain groups of citizens isn‘t good enough, says a former Waterloo regional councillor. He believes the groups should be granted a free ride around the region during nonâ€" peak hours. "A reduced rate is simply not good enough," said Mike Connolly. "What the region has agreed to look at is not what‘s been asked for." Last year Connolly, while a member of Waterloo regional council, suggested the group consider granting free transit passes to senior citizens over the age of 65, community members proven by social serâ€" vices to be in financial need, and those who depend on disâ€" ability assistance as their sole source of income. A similar concept has been implemented _ in _ British Columbia, known as the minâ€" istry of finance annual bus pass. According to policy, the proâ€" gram is available to BC. resiâ€" dents who receive federal guarâ€" anteed income supplement with the old age security penâ€" sion or spouses allowances; individuals age 60 or older who are recipients of provincial B.C. benefits; or individuals 18 to 64 who are recipients of provincial disability benefits. â€" ing them for the specified groups. As well, he said a numâ€" First, he said the committee only looked at reducing the curâ€" rent annual and partâ€"annual pass rates, instead of eliminatâ€" Connolly believes a similar policy would benefit the local region by increasing ridership, as well as decreasing the numâ€" ber of cars on the road. While the matter recently went before the region‘s community serâ€" vices committee, Connolly said the concept was not presented By Anprea Baney Chronicle Staff Spit shine ber of other interest groups were included on the list to receive free transit. "The two should not be entwined," Connolly said. "If there are women‘s groups who feel that women should should receive free passes, next there will be men‘s groups comâ€" ing forward looking for free passes as well. And that‘s not what this is supposed to be about. Don‘t mix ours with theirs. They are two completely different things." Connolly also said, given the increased tax rates regional resâ€" idents can expect this year due to provincial policy changes to threshold ratios, which shift the tax burden from businesses and multiâ€"residential building onto homeowners, now is the perfect time to give more needy members of the community a "With the housing rates going up, it‘s a double whamâ€" my," Connolly said, adding that he plans to point these facts out to the community services committee July 3. The former councillor also said he will be joined by a numâ€" ber of representatives from seniors centres throughout the region . "We want a firm answer from the region, because what‘s (being looked at} is not what we‘ve asked for," he said. "I can‘t see what the probâ€" lem would be. The benefits would outweigh any negative." Waterloo regional Coun. Sean Strickland, who is chair of the community services comâ€" mittee, said transit accessibility deserves aftention. "The issue of subsidized fares for (certain groups) is worthwhile pursuing," he said. "It‘s a good step in the right direction in terms of increased ridership and usage, and from an environmental perspective. "But it will all come down to affordability. In the end the question will be, how much can ANDREA BALEY FHOTO 20â€"PIECE DINNERWARE SETS Shop Sears Outlet Store & Save BIG...on surplus from our catalogue and retail 6! R !E /A Rfis. stores...plus special buys, source & factory closeouts & everyday good values! Regular prices quoted are catalogue or retail prices. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Or while quantities last. Personal shopping only. 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