The Providing Accessible Transit Here (PATH) program works with agencies to provide free transit to vulnerable Edmontonians who are not eligible through other programs.
The Providing Accessible Transit Here (PATH) program works with select non-profit agencies to assist unhoused Edmontonians with transit access. PATH is intended to support this community with transportation while working towards housing goals.
Sponsored by the City of Edmonton, the PATH program allows agencies to identify and connect eligible clients with additional support and services to help meet their basic needs. PATH agency representatives meet regularly with clients, and provide a transit pass to support their clients’ access to housing, employment, medical and other social services.
The PATH program is highly relationship-based. Agencies regularly collaborate with the City and partnering organizations and meet with PATH program participants. Agency representatives work closely with individuals to determine eligibility for the program. Please note: fare products through the PATH program are only administered through social service agencies.
Who the Program is For
The PATH program is intended to support individuals who are houseless or who are at high risk of becoming houseless. PATH program participants are supported by agencies to transition into other ETS fare programs once housing and other services are in place.
PATH is different from the Transit Access Grant (TAG), which offers eligible, non-profit agencies a grant in the form of single trip Arc tickets. These tickets are distributed by the agencies to their adult and youth clients who are in crisis situations and are in need of short-term transit support. Arc tickets allow an individual to travel on ETS for 90 minutes, providing them access to public transportation on a short-term basis for job interviews, medical appointments and other services.
Frequently Asked Questions
The number of PATH recipients is tied to the number of people identified on the Homeward Trust “By Name” list. About 45 local social agencies distribute about 2,000 PATH products per month.
Non-profit agencies who serve the houseless are welcome to call 311 to get connected with the PATH Program Coordinator.
PATH Program Agency Partners
(Please Note: PATH passes are only distributed to agency clients)
- 2SLGBTQIA+ serving agencies
- Addictions/Mental Health Groups
- Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society (select programs)
- Bissell Centre (select programs)
- Boyle Street Community Services (select programs)
- Community and family resource centres (select programs)
- Elizabeth Fry Shelter (Belvedere)
- Hope Mission Shelter
- Mustard Seed (select programs)
- Navigation Centre and Karis Shelter
- NCSA - Native Counseling Services of Alberta
- Radius Health (select programs)
- Various housing programs
- Veteran-serving agencies
- Women's shelters (select programs)
- Youth-serving agencies
While both programs aim to improve access to transit, PATH is specifically intended for individuals who are houseless or at high risk of becoming houseless. Many of the individuals in the PATH program also have additional barriers to accessing the Ride Transit program. The PATH Program is administered with the support of social service agencies in Edmonton.
The Ride Transit Program offers a reduced-cost Arc card to eligible low-income Edmontonians.
No. Each program has its own eligibility criteria. The overall goal of the Ride Transit Program and the PATH Program is to identify and allocate passes based on need.
Program History
In 2016, PATH evolved out of the Youth Transit Access Project, with 5 youth-serving agencies who wanted to address the impact of fare evasion tickets for youth in high-risk situations. The City of Edmonton, MAPS Alberta, the High Risk Youth Initiative with the Government of Alberta and the 5 youth-serving agencies (Boyle Street Education Centre, iHuman Youth Services, Native Counselling Services of Alberta, Old Strathcona Youth Society and Youth Empowerment Support Services) worked together to distribute 100 monthly youth transit passes. The project was successful. It has since expanded to include vulnerable youth and adults who are houseless and those struggling with housing. The PATH program is delivered by over 40 Edmonton social agencies.