Council quashes idea of free transit on election day

Ward 9 Coun. Kieran Mckenzie tried but failed to convince the rest of council Monday to give people free Transit Windsor rides on federal election day.

“This is about public engagement,” Mckenzie said of his motion to make Transit Windsor rides free to Windsor residents from one hour before polls open on Oct. 21 until one hour after polls close.

Citing low voter turnout, he said free bus rides would encourage people to go vote, particularly people who have challenging economic circumstances.

“It will not solve the problem (of low turnout), but it could potentially help some individuals to engage in the process,” said Mckenzie, who resigned as NDP candidate Brian Masse’s (NDP — Windsor West) legislative assistant once he was elected to council last year.

Voter turnout in the last federal election in 2015 increased to 68.5 per cent nationally, the highest turnout since 1993. Locally, while the percentages improved, they were still well behind the national turnout.

Windsor West’s turnout was 55.4 per cent and Windsor-tecumseh’s was 61.4 per cent.

Mckenzie’s motion received little support from the rest of council. Ward 10 Coun. Jim Morrison said while he admires Mckenzie’s intent, “we’re almost meddling in a federal election and that’s not our territory.”

The free rides would cost Transit Windsor an estimated $12,500 in lost revenue.

“I think this is a loss of revenue that Transit Windsor probably can’t afford to lose,” Ward 1 Coun. Fred Francis said as he opposed Mckenzie’s motion.

It’s the job of the candidates and their supporters to get their people out to vote, Francis said.