Bus Fares

Last time bus fares went up in Saint John (August 2005), gasoline and diesel were both priced around $1 per litre. More recently diesel prices are much higher than the price of gasoline.
This explains what first appears to be an oddly timed increase in bus fares. An article in the TJ explains the increases.

In the spirit of making mountains of mole hills I have projected some of the potential impacts of a bus fare increase.

• Buses can serve to discourage driving when they make economic sense for users. If fuel prices for most cars go down while bus fare goes up, the incentive for commuters to take the bus goes down.


• The city is undergoing a trend of parking lot redevelopment. If driving to town becomes more attractive again (from low gas prices and high bus fares), parking spaces could go up in value - reducing incentive for development of lots.


• On the other hand, if parking spaces become limited by these development, pushing up parking prices, this could offset some of the increased desire to drive into the city.


• More costly bus service also burdens those with low incomes and those without cars.


• A positive that could come from this is that people with demand services in their communities.

For information of fuel price trends visit this Natural Resources Canada site.