Riding the buses in Mississauga is about to get a bit more affordable for more passengers, public transit officials say.

Starting April 1, eligible youths and adults who climb aboard MiWay buses as single-fare customers — as opposed to those with monthly passes — and who use Presto cards to pay for the ride can do so for half the regular price under the Affordable Transit Program.

The program, a City of Mississauga/Region of Peel initiative launched in 2014 to help lower-income customers, previously offered the 50 per cent fare discount only to eligible passengers who used monthly adult Presto passes to get around the city via MiWay.

“Riding MiWay to school, work or for fun to explore the city just got easier with more affordable fares for youth and families with lower income levels,” transit officials said Monday. “This will provide them with more ways to pay their fare on MiWay. This also helps make transit more equitable for those who may not need a monthly pass for their travels in Mississauga. More riders will be able to benefit from discounted transit fares and move around the city and beyond with greater support and confidence.”

Eligible passengers must use a Presto card in order to qualify for the discounted fare, MiWay noted. The cards can be used to get around not only in Mississauga, but across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in addition to Ottawa.

Presto card users can also access free transfers via Ontario’s One Fare program that makes travel easier on public transit systems in Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto and when using GO Transit.

Transit officials say people who live in the same household can apply together or individually for the Affordable Transit Program, with applications processed within 10 to 20 business days.

The following fare increases for MiWay passengers took effect in January:

Presto adult single fare, from $3.40 to $3.50
Presto youth single fare, from $2.65 to $2.90
Adult monthly Presto pass, from $141 to $145
Affordable Transit Program discounted adult Presto monthly pass, from $70.50 to $72.50
Cash fare for adult and youth, from $4.25 to $4.50
Cash fare for seniors, from $1 to $4.50
Children ride for free


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