Expert: Montrealers 65 and up can ride public transit for free starting in July

Public transit in Montreal will soon be free for people age 65 and over. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante made the announcement on Twitter on Wednesday. The measure is expected to be included in the city's 2023 budget, set to be released next week. (CBC) 

Here is an expert from McGill University who can comment on this topic:  

Meredith Alouis-Jones, PhD student, School of Urban Planning 

“As our population ages, providing older people (65+) with adequate and affordable travel options, such as public transport, is essential in ensuring they can continue to get around independently. Making public transport free on the Island for older Montrealers is definitely a step in the right direction. To increase this group’s ridership, in addition to the free fare, we need to make sure public transit service is truly adapted to older people’s daily travel needs.” 

Meredith Alousi-Jones is a PhD student in Urban Planning at McGill University and Research Assistant for the Transportation Research at McGill (TRAM) lab. Her research focuses on public transit operations and accessibility, and how our transport networks could better meet the needs of underserved populations such as older adults. 

meredith.alousi-jones [at] mail.mcgill.ca (English, French)