Ride Transit Program

The Ride Transit Program was designed to provide greater access to Edmonton Transit Service by reducing financial barriers for individuals and families in Edmonton. Through a partnership with the Government of Alberta, this program provides Adult and Youth monthly passes to eligible low income Edmontonians at a subsidized rate.

The program is intended to not only remove some of the financial barriers low income individuals experience when paying full fare to ride transit, but also to encourage the use of transit for work, appointments, recreation, education or any other activities.

If your income is less than LICO + 10%, or you qualify from one of the following eligibility criteria, you now qualify for a $35 monthly transit pass. 

• You are on AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) or you receive the CPP-Disability Benefit (Canada Pension Plan)
• You are on Government of Alberta Income Support or Learner Income Support
• You are a new Permanent Resident or a refugee (to qualify, you must have been in Canada less than one year and have not filed a tax return)
• You are a child under government care
• You are receiving any type of government Employment Insurance (EI) (only the individual receiving EI will be eligible)
• Your household income is included in the amounts* listed below:

The City of Edmonton believes everyone should have access to public transit. In an effort to further eliminate financial barriers for low-income Edmontonians, the City is introducing an expanded Ride Transit Program with a sliding scale for income. If your income is between 10% and 25% above LICO, you now qualify for a $50 monthly transit pass. This ultimately allows more Edmontonians to qualify for the program. This update will apply to the sale of June 2019 passes. Please refer to the table below.

• *Income thresholds are subject to change based on Canada Revenue Agency low-income cut-offs.
• **Eligible household is yourself, your partner/spouse and dependent children aged 17 or younger (dependents over 17 need to submit a separate application form with their own income and address verification documents).
• To calculate total household income, add the total incomes from Line 150 of you and your partner/spouse’s (if applicable) previous year’s Notice of Assessment. You are eligible if your total household income is equal to or less than the income shown above with the number of eligible household numbers.    

The application/renewal process is the same and you will automatically be considered for both programs. Please note that even if you qualify for LAP, you are not eligible for a monthly pass under the Ride Transit Program if you are:

• Aged 65 and over (eligible for Senior fares)
• Children six and under
• A post secondary student, currently enrolled in the U-Pass program
• Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) card holder (free when you display your CNIB identification when boarding)
• 26% above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) or unable to provide income verification documentation
• Children under government care who receive a transit pass from Child and Family Services

Citizens who want to apply for the Leisure Access Program or ETS Ride Transit Pass Program can apply for both programs with one application.

It is completely optional for participants to use the recreation facilities and attractions offered by joining the programs. There is no charge for the Leisure Access membership. Ride Transit and Leisure Access are two separate programs that share the same application process. Together, they offer eligible Edmontonians a full range of benefits. 

Please note that your Leisure Access membership card or government issued photo ID is required to purchase a monthly transit pass at the subsidized rate of $35 or $50, and your recreation membership card is the best ID to use.

Approved participants can purchase a monthly transit pass for $35 or $50, depending on household income. Please bring your recreation membership card or other government issued photo ID to purchase this pass in person at any of the 11 participating locations throughout the city.

On the 15th day of every month, next month’s transit pass will be available (until the 14th day of the following month). For example: a September pass may be purchased as early as August 15, but is not valid until September 1. The September pass can be purchased until September 14; The October pass becomes available on September 15, and so on.

Only one monthly subsidized pass is allowed per participant per month. ETS does not replace lost or stolen passes. If lost or stolen, monthly passes need to be purchased at full price at any participating ETS retailers until the 9th day of each month or at Edmonton Service Centre up to the last 4 business days before the end of the current month. 

All passes must be purchased in person by the approved participant unless otherwise arranged with ETS. Passes are non-transferable and not available for resale. Passes are valid from the first day of the month until the last day of the month indicated on the pass. Adults may purchase passes for other eligible individuals on their account, but children will not be allowed to purchase this pass for other individuals. Failure to comply can result in program termination. 

Monthly passes allow unlimited travel on regular ETS bus, LRT and Disabled Adult Transit Service (DATS) if you are a registered DATS client. 

*Children 12 and under ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Monthly passes for approved participants can be purchased as early as the 15th of each month at:

ACT Aquatic and Recreation Centre
2909 113 Avenue
Serviced by ETS routes: 141, 142
Free Parking available 

Clareview Community Recreation Centre
3804 139 Avenue
Serviced by ETS route: 182
Free Parking available

Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre
11000 Stadium Rd NW
Serviced by ETS routes: 2, 120, 125, Capital Line LRT
Free Parking available 

Confederation Leisure Centre
11204 43 Avenue
Serviced by ETS routes: 17, 40, 41, 50, 53, 74
Free Parking available 

Grand Trunk Fitness and Leisure Centre
13025 112 Street NW
Serviced by ETS routes: 12, 151
Free parking available

Meadows Community Recreation Centre
2704 17 Street
Serviced by ETS routes: 67, 95, 370
Free Parking available

Mill Woods Recreation Centre
7207 28 Avenue 
Serviced by ETS routes: 64, 65, 81, 340
Free Parking available

O'Leary Fitness And Leisure Centre
8804 132 Avenue
Serviced by ETS route: 153
Free Parking available 

St. Francis Xavier Sports Centre (Starting December 15, 2018)
9240 163 Street NW
Serviced by ETS routes: 109, 150, 310
Free parking available 

Terwillegar Community Rec Centre
2051 Leger Rd NW 
Serviced by ETS routes: 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 34, 36, 37
Free Parking available 

Edmonton Service Centre
2nd Floor 10111 104 Avenue 
Monday - Friday (8am-4:30pm)
Serviced by ETS routes: 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 16, 52, 100, 111, 112, 134, 140, 151
Paid Parking available 

All locations are: wheelchair accessible and serviced by ETS.
Recreation centres and libraries are open 7 days a week.

A one-time conditional pass may be issued based on qualifying criteria (such as completed application and required support documents) at the Edmonton Service Centre (2nd Floor, 10111 104 Avenue). Some conditions may apply.

Newcomers to Canada can provide a copy of confirmation of Permanent Residence or Refugee protection claimant document as long as arrival dates are within one year for each person applying.