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Cutting commuters a tax break A campaign to favour the folks on buses and metros is underway. The STCUM is currently lobbying the federal government to introduce a tax break for commuters who use public transportation. The proposed plan works like this: bus passes that companies buy for employees would not have to be declared as revenue, as is presently the case--in other words, the same tax break that car-owning employees receive on their parking spaces. To galvanize support, fliers were distributed in metros last week explaining the proposal and including a tear-off postcard for commuters to sign and send to federal Finance Minister Paul Martin. According to the STCUM, the introduction of tax-free bus passes in the United States saw the number of public transit users grow by 25 per cent. And more metro riders also means less traffic, pollution, illness and road repairs. "We've had a really positive response from the public so far," said STCUM spokesperson Odile Paradis. "Similar campaigns are happening in other big [Canadian] cities. Minister Martin has already received 11,600 cards." --Dominique Ritter
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