MONTREAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

LE CONSEIL DES FEMMES DE MONTRÉAL

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Campaigns in 2010

MCW Supports Public Transit Fare Rate Setting

On Thursday, November 4, 2010, the MCW Board of Directors voted to adopt a demand to lower public transit fares in Montreal. MCW has the support of Transport 2000 and Le Conseil des MontrĂ©alaises, two Montreal organizations that are working in collaboration with our efforts. 

Transport 2000 Québec supports MCW in the deliberation process of their proposal to promote social fare rate setting that could improve the living conditions of women and their families and for environmental protection. The mandate, that was determined, is to present the synopsis of the tariff structure options according to what the women's groups expressed, notably during consultations with the Conseil des Montréalaises, so that the Montreal Council of Women can consult their members to determine their official position.

Mr. Smereka of Transport 2000 made a presentation "Transport 2000 Quebec's vision of public transit" (in English and French) on September 2, 2010 to the Montreal Council of Women and proposed to redo the study, on a reduced scale with a baseline group, to help them in their discussions.  The main document is a one-page questionnaire which represents a synopsis of the rate options by the different women's groups and civil society.  Some rate principles presented are complementary or contradictory.  It is done in this way to invite discussion with the local groups of MCW organizations.  This is not a survey or a scientific investigation, but an activity to sensitize and to invite debate.  As they have no control over the manner in which the information will be collected and respecting the wish for independence by the baseline group, the comments will however be important, more particularly, to know how the propositions were received, to judge the pertinence of the demands, or to know what was not covered.  Once the comments are collected, they will send MCW an article which will contain the principle elements of the study.

The fares principles are as follows:

1.  That the overall participation of users must not increase more than inflation, or than the general index of consumer prices.

2.  Oppose any fare increase.

3.  In favor of decreasing the price of monthly passes by 50%.

4.  In favor of universally free public transit.

5.  In favor of social fare rates for households below the poverty line, adjusted depending on the resources of the user.

6.  In favor of a solidarity fare rate:

    a.   Flexibility to support multiple trips specific to women:

           - A transit fare authorizing two hours of transit on the same bus line

           - A transit fare for 24 hours of unlimited travel.

           - A day transit fare (less than $4).

    b.   Family and education policies:

           - In favor of free fares starting with the third child.

           - Extend the "family Outings" program (to weekdays, outside the rush hour).

           - In favor of free transit for those traveling with children in strollers.

           - In favor of an Alpha fare for literacy program students (like the current formula for a student's rate).

           - In favor of free transit for university students (u-Pass).

 

Le Conseil des MontrĂ©alaises carried out two specific studies on the mobility of women and preliminary consultations with certain women's groups.  The two studies, which favoured a qualitative methodology, were able to build a realistic portrait of women's mobility, to recognize the inequalities as to the accessibility to public transportation that were linked to physical and economic obstacles and to report the individuals" and organizations" demands through discussions and deliberative meetings.  The MCW will use their studies to elaborate their program, and this activity, in conjunction with Transport 2000 Quebec, will be useful. 

 

Below is a copy of the position paper on the accessibility of public transportation and its impact on the quality of life of Montreal women.  The studies done by Le Conseil des MontrĂ©alaises will serve as a fundamental resource document to better inform themselves about Montreal women's mobility issues.  The summaries of the literature for the tutor and the organization are listed, as well as the list of tools (i.e. books and texts) which establishes the framework within which the MCW is being consulted. 

 

Click on this link to read the summary of the position paper: All Aboard! - Summary of the position paper by the Conseil des Montréalaises on the accessibility of public transportation, and its impact on the quality of life of Montreal Women - November 2009

 

The Conseil des MontrĂ©alaises is an advisory committee, created by the Municipal Council of the city of Montreal and acts on its behalf or on its own initiative, with the Municipal Administration as it pertains to the equality of women and men and the feminine condition. 

 

Montréal Métro article "Des titres de transport à rabais pour les déminis?".

 

MCW received an Invitation to attend a press conference on September 22, 2010 with Mr. Robert DubĂ© of Transport 2000.  It was held to launch the "Guide de l'usager: se dĂ©placer autrement au QuĂ©bec".  Here is the Transport 2000 report: "City of Montreal Responses to MCW Questionnaire, October, 2009".

 

We will keep our members updated regarding the ongoing meetings and announcements of this campaign.

Lyna Boushel, EVP, MCW and Transport Convener

 

 

 
Montreal Council of Women - Le Conseil des femmes de MontrĂ©al
Meetings - Les Jardins du canal, 2700 Rufus Rockhead (opposite Atwater Market;
Metro Lionel-Groulx & bus 108), Montreal, QC H3J 2Z7
Mailing address - 1195 Sherbrooke ouest, Montreal, QC H3A 1H9
Email address -  mcwcfm@gmail.com