ÉquiMobilité program has “hidden users,” advocates say 

Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

editor@qctonline.com

Advocates for people living in poverty say the city’s ÉquiMobilité bus pass program may be unintentionally bypassing the people who need it most.

The ÉquiMobilité program currently allows people living under the provincial poverty line to get a 33 per cent discount on Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) bus passes and tickets – the same discount given to seniors and students. On July 1, that discount will rise to nearly 50 per cent; recipients will pay $50 for a monthly bus pass and $2 per individual ticket.

However, potential ÉquiMobilité users have to navigate a multistep eligibility process, printing off an online application form; bringing the form, a proof of income and a photo ID to one of two borough offices; getting proof of eligibility from the borough office; and bringing their proof of eligibility to one of four pharmacies to have their card produced.

Studies suggest as many as one in three Quebecers has serious struggles with reading and writing, and people who struggle with literacy are more likely to be living in poverty than those who don’t; many people who struggle with literacy are also unable to access the internet without help. A long list of steps can also be confusing for people with cognitive disabilities.

Audrey Demers is a literacy educator and co-coordinator of Atout-Lire, an adult literacy nonprofit in Saint-Sauveur. “In the past, we had an agreement [with the RTC] to give all of our learners the student rate – we did all the paperwork and then the learners could go to the pharmacy and get their annual student pass, which was obviously simpler,” she said. “When ÉquiMobilité came in, the city said it would be fairer to have everyone get ÉquiMobilité.”

Demers said many learners needed help accessing the online-only, French-only form, understanding the legalistic language of its terms and conditions, going to the Limoilou borough office and finding a pharmacy which offered the service. “The fact that the form is online and there are two places to go makes it complicated,” she said. It’s also possible to apply by mail, but applicants still need to print and fill out the form.

Demers said she was sure there were “hidden” would- be users of the program, who either had not heard of it, had no way to print out the form or were put off by the application process.

“The form could be a lot more accessible,” said Sophie Tremblay-Bouchard of Collectif TRAAQ, a nonprofit advocacy group for underprivileged transit users which fought for the implementation of ÉquiMobilité in 2022. “We are continuing to discuss the accessibility issue with the [RTC] consultative committee.”

Demers and Tremblay- Bouchard said making the paper form more accessible and increasing the number of service points may make the service accessible to more users.

An RTC spokesperson referred a request for comment to the Ville de Québec, which had not responded at press time.

Are you eligible?

If you think you are eligible for ÉquiMobilité, application forms (in French only) are available on the city website. If you don’t have a printer, you can print your form at a city library. Although your neighbourhood library is most likely closed due to a strike, the Gabrielle-Roy Library in Saint-Roch, the Étienne-Parent Library in Beauport and the Monique-Corriveau Library in Sainte-Foy are open with reduced operating hours. Go to the La Cité-Limoilou or Sillery borough office (bureau d’arrondissement) with your completed form, your most recent notice of assessment from Revenu Québec or Revenue Canada, your Canada Child Benefit slip if you have it, proof of refugee or social assistance status if you have it, and photo ID. If you’re eligible, the borough office will give you a document to take to the Brunet pharmacy (near the Limoilou borough office and the Gabrielle-Roy Library), the RTC information centre (820, Ave. Ernest-Gagnon); the Horizon Santé pharmacy (Les Galeries de la Canardière) or the Brunet pharmacy at 2700, Boul. Laurier. Pharmacy staff will create your card. Both the application and the card are free.

You can also apply by mail and have your card mailed to you. Visit ville.quebec.qc.ca/citoyens/deplacements/programme-equimobilite.aspx (link in French) for details.