The Departments of Operations and Parks and Rec recommended to city council on May 27 that Moose Jaw offer a ‘Student Summer Super Pass’ from July 1 to August 31, to help promote both transit ridership and the use of city recreation facilities. 

The pass is for youth aged 13 to 17. 

“The creation of a Student Summer Super Pass is recommended to provide a comprehensive option for students through the summer months,” said Krysti Johre, manager of transportation and procurement.  

“(The pass) would grant access to both transit services and recreational facilities ... at a rate of $95 plus taxes. ... The Student Summer Super Pass will help address the top three programming priorities in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which include drop-in and spontaneous recreation and leisure; funding for children and youth; and Yara Centre programming.” 

Johre said the proposal had come from a member of the Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Advisory Committee in 2023. It was then developed further by staff from Parks and Rec and Transit services. 

“Student bus pass sales make up a substantial portion of all transit bus pass sales,” Johre explained. “Management has identified a trend which sees student bus pass sales significantly reduced through the months of July and August.”  

The report, written by Johre and Scott Osmachenko, manager of recreation services, noted that in 2023, during the school year (between January and June, and September and December), student bus pass sales averaged 213 passes sold per month.  

During the summer holidays, student bus pass sales averaged 53 passes sold per month, a 75% decrease from average sales during the school year. Transit studies have shown that when individuals become comfortable using transit services in their youth, they will be more likely to consider transit as a transportation option into their adult years.  

“This initiative would support building ridership habits in our local youth, which may support future ridership and bus pass sales,” Johre added.  

Because the Super Pass covers both July and August, it represents an approximate 51 per cent discount off regular rates. The passes will be for sale at the usual city recreation facilities. 

Council passed the recommendation unanimously. 

The next regular meeting of Moose Jaw City Council is scheduled for June 10.