college and graduate students, e.g., the LA Metro. Some universities have implemented U-Pass programs that provide students unlimited access to local transit. Low-income riders Canada Banff, Alberta The town of Banff offers its low-income residents a free monthly transit pass for the Roam local transit service within the town. The town also offers its low-income residents a discount of 50% off individual return trip passes and a 10-ride pass for the Roam regional transit service to the nearby town of Canmore. Calgary, Alberta Calgary Transit offers its low-income clients a monthly transit pass for $44 instead of the regular price of $99. Applicants must be Calgary residents. Edmonton, Alberta Edmonton Transit System offers its clients that are on AISH a monthly transit pass for $34. There has also been discussion of expanding the program to cover all low-income residents as well. Grande Prairie, Alberta The city of Grande Prairie offers its low-income residents a free monthly transit pass. St. Albert, Alberta The city of St. Albert offers its clients that are on AISH a monthly transit pass for 36% of the cost of a regular pass. The pass is valid on St. Albert Transit service in St. Albert and Edmonton. Strathcona County, Alberta Strathcona County Transit offers its low-income residents a discounted transit pass. United Kingdom London Transport for London offers a special Oyster card for London residents already receiving some form of financial aid for discounted travel on buses and tram. There is no discount on fares for travel on the Tube, DLR, London Overground, or National Rail. United States After housing, transportation costs, are the second-biggest budget item for most families in the United States. In 2012, households that fall in the lowest fifth in household incomes spend 56% of their income on housing and transportation whereas households that fall in the highest fifth spend 46% of their income. In addition, driving may not be an option for everyone. According to AAA, the average annual cost of owning a car is $10,183. Thirty-three percent of low-income African Americans, 25 percent of low-income Latinos, and 12.1 percent of low-income Caucasians lack automobile access. The Victoria Transport Policy Institute argues that unaffordable transportation can reduce economic productivity. Access to adequate and affordable transportation provides access to schools and jobs, increasing productivity and the opportunity for economic mobility. Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota Metro Transit offers reduced fares to lower-income passengers through the