Free bus rides for seniors during non-peak hours, says Bigger

A Brian Bigger government would offer free bus rides to seniors, bring open-mike nights at city council and boost Sudbury Transit service in outlying communities, all while freezing taxes and maintaining services in his first year in office.

At a news conference Wednesday morning, the former auditor general offered more details of his platform, which had a heavy emphasis on appealing to seniors and those calling for more open and accountable government.

Wednesday was International Day of Older Persons, and Bigger had plenty in his platform to appeal to seniors. In addition to free rides on city buses during non-peak hours, Bigger also promised to forgo development charges for seniors housing.

He also talked about bringing medical lab tests to seniors in outlying communities through mobile labs – comparable to bookmobiles for health tests. He also committed to keep Pioneer Manor in city hands.

“I also plan to harmonize services to seniors in their homes so those that need it can receive it,” Bigger said. “I will advocate for funding through the provincial government for needed increases in assisted living accommodations.”

Beyond senior's issues, Bigger promised to let residents speak at 30-minute open-mike events following city council meetings.

“Citizens will be allowed to speak to council, and their concerns will be recorded and followed up.”

He would require each department to file business plans with their budgets, something that hasn't been done since 2006.

“Proper stewardship over public funds demands a business plan and accountability for implementing those plans,” he said.

The plans themselves would require departments to detail how they will spend the money they are asking for, Bigger said, and then report back on how the money was actually used.

In addition to free rides for seniors, Bigger said he would expand bus service to outlying communities to improve ridership rates. Community groups and residents will receive seedlings, seeds and mulch for their gardens.

Other promises:

A Vision 2025 conference to “reconnect with the people of Sudbury. Citizens, business, interest groups (will be) invited to provide their input to plan the next 10 years.”
Investing in the construction industry, health science industry and making Sudbury a “technology-based centre.”

A quality control program to ensure road reconstruction and snowplowing are done properly.

All councillors will be asked to sign a Sudbury Charter of Rights and Responsibilities in which they promise to live up to the “conduct, respect and ethics expected by our citizens.”

While not providing an estimate of what his promises would cost, Bigger did say that, for example, offering free bus rides during non-peak hours to seniors wouldn't lead to a loss in revenue. As it stands now, only about three per cent of seniors use the bus on a regular basis, he said. And the one-year tax freeze is doable, said.

“We will not reduce services or cut employees,” Bigger said. “We can find everything we need to continue to operate the city. We will be 100 per cent accountable to the people of this great city.”

Voters go to the polls Oct. 27 to elect a new mayor and council. Bigger will be at Northern Life offices on Oct. 14 for a one-hour live interview with our panel. It will be livecast on our website, northernlife.ca.