Bus Fare Flap Leaves Saanich Kids Fearing They Can't Start School

BC Transit insists the $350 yearly youth passes be paid for up-front, in full

Saanich - It's a short walk to the bus stop for the Horst family, but getting her three eldest kids on the bus, and off to school is a financial journey Ruth Horst just can't make.
The mother of five lives on disability assistance and has no car.
So BC transit is the lifeline her children rely on.
Horst pays $45 a year for her subsidized annual pass. The kids, aged 13, 15 and 16 are charged $350 each for the reduced-rate 10-month buss pass that will cover them for the school year.
But the entire amount must be paid up front: that's more than $1000, cash Horst doesn't have.
Paying by month is about 400 dollars more expensive.
Horst says she's asked and begged BC Transit to allow her to pay for the cheaper passes in installments, something the transit company refuses to do because it says, that drives the costs up for all users.
Ruth Horst says she's so desperate, she's considering home-schooling the kids.

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[rebeloj]

So, apparently having five children is a bit of a financial burden. Might have thought about that 15 years ago.

[MegaKristina123]

I know those ppl

-.-

[Firemind94]

If a parent qualifies for a subsidy surely the kids do. That pass is a necessity. Hopefully things will work out.