Saskatchewan residents who are on income assistance will be able to continue buying bus passes at a discount.

The province says they will contribute up to $1.84 million this year to support the Discounted Bus Pass program (DBP) program. The program is aimed at allowing people with low incomes to buy bus passes in order to search for or travel to work, attend school, or appointments.

Social Services Minister Lori Carr says having more affordable transportation will allow people with low incomes to be more connected to their communities and contribute a better quality of life.

“I am proud of our government’s work with cities across the province to help people with low incomes have greater access to public transit,” said Carr.

Through DBP, the cost of a monthly buss pass is reduced by $25, with some cities offering further discounts.

Seven Saskatchewan cities participate in the DBP program, and receive funding from the province to cover the discounts. Those cities are Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Swift Current, and Yorkton.

To be eligible for the DBP program, riders need to be clients of one of the following programs: Saskatchewan Income Support, Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability, Saskatchewan Assistance Program, Transitional Employment Allowance, Saskatchewan Employment Supplement or Provincial Training Allowance.