It doesn’t do much justice to say that COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives. It has, and it’s continuing to put all kinds of pressure on us to figure out how the heck we exist in this new world that has been created. Thinking of all the people who have lost jobs or had to adjust the way they work makes your head spin. Sorry, we know it sounds a bit doomsday-ish, but we got to keep it real with you. And while people are trying to get back on their feet, being able to afford the back and forth commute across public transit is more important than ever. That’s where low-income transit passes come in. If you qualify, you can pay a reduced rate for commuting on public transit. The specific approaches to low-cost transit passes vary by city but have the same goal of making public transit more affordable. You’ll need to qualify to be eligible for any of the low-income transit breaks, so it’s important you take note of the qualifications. Below, we break down the details and qualifications by region to help you better understand if you qualify for low-income transit passes. Your monthly pass will be discounted by 50% through the Affordable Transit Program. Once your application gets approved, you can buy the monthly pass at half price for 12 months ($64 in Brampton and $67.50 in Mississauga). Works on your PRESTO card. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible, as well as newcomers who have applied for permanent residency, sponsorship, or refugee protection in Canada. International students and foreign workers are not eligible. You must also live in Mississauga or Brampton and have a net income equal to or less than these limits: New applicants were being accepted as of July 2, 2020. The approval process takes 20 days. If you’ve already applied for renewal or applied before March 21, 2020, your application is being processed. Applications are done online and reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. Every member of your household who is applying for a discount must have their own registered PRESTO card. It may take up to 15 days to hear a response. Your monthly pass will be discounted by 50% through the Affordable Transit Program. Once your application gets approved, you can buy the monthly pass at half price for 12 months ($64 in Brampton and $67.50 in Mississauga). Works on your PRESTO card. You’ll need the most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) for yourself and all applicants in your household who are over the age of 18. If you do not have your NOA, you can request a replacement from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281. If you’re new to Canada and have never filed taxes, you can still apply. You’ll need to fill out one of the following documents. If you still have questions, email Peel Region Transit. Transit Tip: Get real-time transit alerts and arrival times with Rocketman. Learn more about the Rocketman app for Brampton transit and Mississauga transit. Here’s a breakdown of the monthly cost of an Affordable Bus Pass. If you’re an adult, youth, or senior who lives in a low-income household, you can apply any time for a one-year pass. You must also meet all of the following requirements: The low-income cut-off is as follows: You can apply for the Affordable Bus Pass by picking up an application at the following locations: You can also go to guelph.ca to download the application form. Applications can take up to ten days to process and must be renewed every year. From the same locations mentioned above. If you have any questions, call 519-822-1260, extension 2042. Students, adults, or seniors living in Halton with low income may be eligible. You may also qualify if you’re receiving assistance from the Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support programs or if you are a government- or privately-sponsored refugee. Call 311, and a Halton staff member will let you know what information you need to provide. Your information will be reviewed, and they’ll determine if you qualify. Your qualification lasts for one full year. Transit Tip: Get real-time transit alerts and arrival times with Rocketman. Learn more about the Rocketman app. With the Affordable Transit Pass Program, you receive a 50% discount on your monthly pass. You can load your PRESTO card online at presto.ca. The monthly cost breakdown under the Affordable Transit Pass Program is as follows: You have to meet ALL of the following criteria to qualify: Complete this application form and submit online. You only need one application form for you and your spouse or partner. Other documents you’ll need with your application: When submitting your application, you’ll also need to include your last year’s Notice of Assessment (NOA) and four consecutive pay stubs that are recent. If you can’t find last year’s Notice of Assessment, call the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281. You’ll have to answer some verification questions, and they will give you another copy. Once your application is approved, you’ll have to head down to HSR Customer Service Centre located at 36 Hunter Street East in the Hamilton GO Station. Show your approval letter, and you’ll get the discount. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. You can purchase your pass between the 20th day of the previous month and the 13th day of the month in which your pass is being used. For example, to purchase a pass for October, you have between September 20 and October 13. If you need more information about Hamilton’s Affordable Transit Pass Program, email support@hamilton.ca or call 905-546-2590. Transit Tip: Get real-time transit alerts and arrival times with Rocketman. Learn more about the Rocketman app. Monthly passes for eligible recipients cost $52. To qualify for the Income Related Transit Program, you have to meet ALL of the following criteria: For point number three (LICO-AT), your household family income must fall under one of these amounts: As of August 15, 2020, Income Related Transit passes were available for purchase online. There are four ways you can apply for the Income Related Transit Program: You can purchase discounted passes at any of the following locations: If you need more information, you can call 519-661-5910. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Toronto Public Library are providing complimentary PRESTO cards to people who do not yet have one or may face challenges in purchasing one. Starting October 5, 2020, PRESTO cards will be available at select Toronto Public Library branches, while quantities last. You can find out more about this Toronto Public Library in partnership with the TTC program in your neighbourhood by visiting or reaching out to your local branch. If you or somebody you know would benefit from this program, we’ve listed out the participating Toronto branch locations: For more information, please call their Answerline at 416-397-5981 or email to answerline@tpl.ca. Transit Tip: Get real-time transit alerts and arrival times with Rocketman. Learn more about the Rocketman app for Toronto transit. A TAP pass is half the cost ($77/month) of a York Region Transit (YRT) adult monthly pass and is valid for unlimited travel on YRT services for the entire month. A TAP pass is loaded onto your PRESTO card. York Region residents can apply who are between the ages of 18 to 64, currently not getting transit assistance from Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program, have agreed to partake in surveys to evaluate the pilot program, and have income at or below these limits: The TAP pilot program runs till December of 2020. There are a limited number of passes available, so apply now. Call Access York at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 79000 (Open Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) TTY: 1-866-512-6228 or 905-895-4293 (for the deaf, deafened or hard-of-hearing). Those 18-64 years old must apply on their own; couples or families must apply as a family. If you have any questions, contact YRT Contact Centre: The EquiPass offers transit discounts for people below the low-income threshold, and comes in the form of either a reduced monthly pass or a reduced fare per-ride. The monthly pass is $58.25, which is nearly half the cost of the Adult pass, and the single-ride fare is $1.75, nearly half the cost of the regular fare. The pass works on Presto or ParaPay, and people who qualify for this program can get a Presto card at no cost. People with a family income below the low income threshold can access this pass. Note: this threshold is set by the Government of Canada and may change. You should not apply if you currently: You must complete an application form and submit it. You can get your application form by the following methods: You can submit your application online, by mail, or in person. If you are mailing it or submitting it in person, ensure it’s in a sealed envelope that is addressed to ‘EquiPass Applications’. You can mail it to: OC Transpo Or, you can submit it at: Within 30 business days of applying, you should receive a letter regarding the application status. If you have any questions, contact OC Transpo at: Here is more information about the EquiPass application process. If you need to get around your city but are worried about the cost, be sure to check out the program for your region. Find out if you’re eligible and fill out the necessary forms. None of them are too long, and even if they are, it’s worth the savings. As long as you’re being safe and respecting the rules and guidelines when travelling, you should feel comfortable commuting wherever you need to. At Rocketman, we do our best to keep you ahead of your commute. Get real-time transit alerts, arrival times and try our new crowdedness feature to avoid busy times on your journey. Rocketman transit app for Android This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.What you need to know about low-income transit passes in Ontario
Brampton/Mississauga – Affordable Transit Program
How much do the passes for the Affordable Transit Program cost?
Who can apply for the Affordable Transit Program?
When to apply
How to apply
How much do the passes for the Affordable Transit Program cost?
What you need when you apply to the Affordable Transit Program
Guelph: Affordable Bus Pass
What is the monthly cost of the Affordable Bus Pass?
Who can apply for the Affordable Bus Pass?
How do you apply for the Affordable Bus Pass?
Where do you purchase your Affordable Care Bus Pass?
Halton: SPLIT
Who can apply for the SPLIT?
How do you apply for SPLIT?
What documents do you need to apply for SPLIT?
Where do you purchase your pass if you qualify?
Hamilton: Affordable Transit Pass Program
What is the cost of a monthly pass on the Affordable Transit Pass Program?
Who is eligible for the Affordable Transit Pass Program?
OR
Your family income falls below the 2006 Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off for your family size:
How do you apply for the Affordable Transit Pass Program?
How do you purchase your pass?
When can you purchase your pass?
London: Income Related Transit Program
How much does the monthly pass cost?
Who can apply for the Income Related Transit Program?
When can you apply?
How do you apply for the Income Related Transit Program?
Where can you purchase the discounted passes?
Toronto: Toronto Public Library Complimentary PRESTO Card Program Initiative
What is the Toronto Public Library Complimentary PRESTO Card Program Initiative?
Participating Branches
York Region – TAP
How much do TAP passes cost?
Who can apply
When to apply for TAP
How to apply for TAP
What you need when you apply for TAP
Local: 905-762-2100
Toll-free: 1-866-668-3978Ottawa – EquiPass
How much does it cost?
Who can apply
How to apply
Attn: EquiPass Applications
925 Belfast Road
Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z4
What you need when you apply for EquiPass
Don’t let your income prevent you from commuting
Download the Rocketman app:
It doesn’t do much justice to say that COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives. It has, and it’s continuing to put all kinds of pressure on us to figure out how the heck we exist in this new world that has been created. Thinking of all the people who have lost jobs or had to adjust the way they work makes your head spin. Sorry, we know it sounds a bit doomsday-ish, but we got to keep it real with you. And while people are trying to get back on their feet, being able to afford the back and forth commute across public transit is more important than ever. That’s where low-income transit passes come in. If you qualify, you can pay a reduced rate for commuting on public transit. The specific approaches to low-cost transit passes vary by city but have the same goal of making public transit more affordable. You’ll need to qualify to be eligible for any of the low-income transit breaks, so it’s important you take note of the qualifications. Below, we break down the details and qualifications by region to help you better understand if you qualify for low-income transit passes. Your monthly pass will be discounted by 50% through the Affordable Transit Program. Once your application gets approved, you can buy the monthly pass at half price for 12 months ($64 in Brampton and $67.50 in Mississauga). Works on your PRESTO card. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible, as well as newcomers who have applied for permanent residency, sponsorship, or refugee protection in Canada. International students and foreign workers are not eligible. You must also live in Mississauga or Brampton and have a net income equal to or less than these limits: New applicants were being accepted as of July 2, 2020. The approval process takes 20 days. If you’ve already applied for renewal or applied before March 21, 2020, your application is being processed. Applications are done online and reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. Every member of your household who is applying for a discount must have their own registered PRESTO card. It may take up to 15 days to hear a response. Your monthly pass will be discounted by 50% through the Affordable Transit Program. Once your application gets approved, you can buy the monthly pass at half price for 12 months ($64 in Brampton and $67.50 in Mississauga). Works on your PRESTO card. You’ll need the most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) for yourself and all applicants in your household who are over the age of 18. If you do not have your NOA, you can request a replacement from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281. If you’re new to Canada and have never filed taxes, you can still apply. You’ll need to fill out one of the following documents. If you still have questions, email Peel Region Transit. Transit Tip: Get real-time transit alerts and arrival times with Rocketman. Learn more about the Rocketman app for Brampton transit and Mississauga transit. Here’s a breakdown of the monthly cost of an Affordable Bus Pass. If you’re an adult, youth, or senior who lives in a low-income household, you can apply any time for a one-year pass. You must also meet all of the following requirements: The low-income cut-off is as follows: You can apply for the Affordable Bus Pass by picking up an application at the following locations: You can also go to guelph.ca to download the application form. Applications can take up to ten days to process and must be renewed every year. From the same locations mentioned above. If you have any questions, call 519-822-1260, extension 2042. Students, adults, or seniors living in Halton with low income may be eligible. You may also qualify if you’re receiving assistance from the Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support programs or if you are a government- or privately-sponsored refugee. Call 311, and a Halton staff member will let you know what information you need to provide. Your information will be reviewed, and they’ll determine if you qualify. Your qualification lasts for one full year. Transit Tip: Get real-time transit alerts and arrival times with Rocketman. Learn more about the Rocketman app. With the Affordable Transit Pass Program, you receive a 50% discount on your monthly pass. You can load your PRESTO card online at presto.ca. The monthly cost breakdown under the Affordable Transit Pass Program is as follows: You have to meet ALL of the following criteria to qualify: Complete this application form and submit online. You only need one application form for you and your spouse or partner. Other documents you’ll need with your application: When submitting your application, you’ll also need to include your last year’s Notice of Assessment (NOA) and four consecutive pay stubs that are recent. If you can’t find last year’s Notice of Assessment, call the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281. You’ll have to answer some verification questions, and they will give you another copy. Once your application is approved, you’ll have to head down to HSR Customer Service Centre located at 36 Hunter Street East in the Hamilton GO Station. Show your approval letter, and you’ll get the discount. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. You can purchase your pass between the 20th day of the previous month and the 13th day of the month in which your pass is being used. For example, to purchase a pass for October, you have between September 20 and October 13. If you need more information about Hamilton’s Affordable Transit Pass Program, email support@hamilton.ca or call 905-546-2590. Transit Tip: Get real-time transit alerts and arrival times with Rocketman. Learn more about the Rocketman app. Monthly passes for eligible recipients cost $52. To qualify for the Income Related Transit Program, you have to meet ALL of the following criteria: For point number three (LICO-AT), your household family income must fall under one of these amounts: As of August 15, 2020, Income Related Transit passes were available for purchase online. There are four ways you can apply for the Income Related Transit Program: You can purchase discounted passes at any of the following locations: If you need more information, you can call 519-661-5910. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Toronto Public Library are providing complimentary PRESTO cards to people who do not yet have one or may face challenges in purchasing one. Starting October 5, 2020, PRESTO cards will be available at select Toronto Public Library branches, while quantities last. You can find out more about this Toronto Public Library in partnership with the TTC program in your neighbourhood by visiting or reaching out to your local branch. If you or somebody you know would benefit from this program, we’ve listed out the participating Toronto branch locations: For more information, please call their Answerline at 416-397-5981 or email to answerline@tpl.ca. Transit Tip: Get real-time transit alerts and arrival times with Rocketman. Learn more about the Rocketman app for Toronto transit. A TAP pass is half the cost ($77/month) of a York Region Transit (YRT) adult monthly pass and is valid for unlimited travel on YRT services for the entire month. A TAP pass is loaded onto your PRESTO card. York Region residents can apply who are between the ages of 18 to 64, currently not getting transit assistance from Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program, have agreed to partake in surveys to evaluate the pilot program, and have income at or below these limits: The TAP pilot program runs till December of 2020. There are a limited number of passes available, so apply now. Call Access York at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 79000 (Open Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) TTY: 1-866-512-6228 or 905-895-4293 (for the deaf, deafened or hard-of-hearing). Those 18-64 years old must apply on their own; couples or families must apply as a family. If you have any questions, contact YRT Contact Centre: The EquiPass offers transit discounts for people below the low-income threshold, and comes in the form of either a reduced monthly pass or a reduced fare per-ride. The monthly pass is $58.25, which is nearly half the cost of the Adult pass, and the single-ride fare is $1.75, nearly half the cost of the regular fare. The pass works on Presto or ParaPay, and people who qualify for this program can get a Presto card at no cost. People with a family income below the low income threshold can access this pass. Note: this threshold is set by the Government of Canada and may change. You should not apply if you currently: You must complete an application form and submit it. You can get your application form by the following methods: You can submit your application online, by mail, or in person. If you are mailing it or submitting it in person, ensure it’s in a sealed envelope that is addressed to ‘EquiPass Applications’. You can mail it to: OC Transpo Or, you can submit it at: Within 30 business days of applying, you should receive a letter regarding the application status. If you have any questions, contact OC Transpo at: Here is more information about the EquiPass application process. If you need to get around your city but are worried about the cost, be sure to check out the program for your region. Find out if you’re eligible and fill out the necessary forms. None of them are too long, and even if they are, it’s worth the savings. As long as you’re being safe and respecting the rules and guidelines when travelling, you should feel comfortable commuting wherever you need to. At Rocketman, we do our best to keep you ahead of your commute. Get real-time transit alerts, arrival times and try our new crowdedness feature to avoid busy times on your journey. Rocketman transit app for Android This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.What you need to know about low-income transit passes in Ontario
Brampton/Mississauga – Affordable Transit Program
How much do the passes for the Affordable Transit Program cost?
Who can apply for the Affordable Transit Program?
When to apply
How to apply
How much do the passes for the Affordable Transit Program cost?
What you need when you apply to the Affordable Transit Program
Guelph: Affordable Bus Pass
What is the monthly cost of the Affordable Bus Pass?
Who can apply for the Affordable Bus Pass?
How do you apply for the Affordable Bus Pass?
Where do you purchase your Affordable Care Bus Pass?
Halton: SPLIT
Who can apply for the SPLIT?
How do you apply for SPLIT?
What documents do you need to apply for SPLIT?
Where do you purchase your pass if you qualify?
Hamilton: Affordable Transit Pass Program
What is the cost of a monthly pass on the Affordable Transit Pass Program?
Who is eligible for the Affordable Transit Pass Program?
OR
Your family income falls below the 2006 Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off for your family size:
How do you apply for the Affordable Transit Pass Program?
How do you purchase your pass?
When can you purchase your pass?
London: Income Related Transit Program
How much does the monthly pass cost?
Who can apply for the Income Related Transit Program?
When can you apply?
How do you apply for the Income Related Transit Program?
Where can you purchase the discounted passes?
Toronto: Toronto Public Library Complimentary PRESTO Card Program Initiative
What is the Toronto Public Library Complimentary PRESTO Card Program Initiative?
Participating Branches
York Region – TAP
How much do TAP passes cost?
Who can apply
When to apply for TAP
How to apply for TAP
What you need when you apply for TAP
Local: 905-762-2100
Toll-free: 1-866-668-3978Ottawa – EquiPass
How much does it cost?
Who can apply
How to apply
Attn: EquiPass Applications
925 Belfast Road
Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z4
What you need when you apply for EquiPass
Don’t let your income prevent you from commuting
Download the Rocketman app:
Don’t have Rocketman? Stay on top of your commute by downloading it:
Not sure if Rocketman works in your area? View our list of supported regions.
This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.