Ride Transit Program

In September of 2017, Edmonton Transit Service introduced the Ride Transit Program. 

The Ride Transit Program was designed to provide greater access to Edmonton Transit Service by reducing financial barriers for individual and families in Edmonton. Through a partnership with the Alberta government, this program provides Adult and Youth monthly passes to eligible low income Edmontonians and their families at a subsidized rate of $35.

The purpose of the program is not only to 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 in their daily lives for work, appointments, recreation, education, or any other activity that gets citizens involved in our community. 

This program is available for Edmonton residents who qualify under one of the following:
*Some exceptions apply

• An Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Health Benefit recipient
• Dependents of an AISH Health Benefit recipient 
• Household income is at or below the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) amount 

The application is the same and all applications received are considered an application or renewal for both programs but they are two different 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)
• Aged 5 and under (free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult)
• A student at NAIT, MacEwan, Norquest or U of A (part of U-Pass *some exceptions apply)
• Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) card holder (free when you display your CNIB ID when boarding)
• 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

Existing Leisure Access Program (LAP) participants are required to complete an online Enrollment Confirmation Form to express their interest in adding the Ride Transit Program to their LAP membership.

Citizens without existing enrollment in the Leisure Access Program or ETS AISH Transit Pass Program can apply for both programs with one application.

• Completed applications can be sent by mail:

Leisure Access & Ride Transit Program
PO Box  2359
Edmonton AB  T5J 0J4

• Or dropped off in person at the Edmonton Service Centre:

Leisure Access & Ride Transit Program
2nd Floor, 10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton AB  T5J 0J4
Monday - Friday (8am to 4:30 pm)

• Faxed or e-mailed forms are not accepted. 
• The normal approval process can take 2-3 weeks, depending on the time of year and number of applications received. Once approved, a letter or email will be sent to inform you and provide further information on the programs.

Immediate on site review of completed applications and the required supporting documentation will be available at the Edmonton Service Centre 2nd Floor, Edmonton Tower (10111 104 Avenue).  Temporary on the spot approvals may be granted based on qualifying criteria.  Some conditions will apply.

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

Passes are non-transferable and are valid for use from the 1st day of the month until the last day of the month indicated on the pass.

Approved participants can purchase a monthly pass at the subsidized rate of $35. Please bring your Recreation Membership Card or other Government Issued ID, to purchase this pass in person with Cash, Debit or Credit at any of the 11 participating locations throughout the City.

On the 15th of every month, next month’s transit pass will be available for purchase until the 14th of the following month. For example: September’s bus pass may be purchased as early as August 15th, but cannot be used as valid fare payment until September 1. The September bus pass is available for purchase until September 14th; October’s bus pass becomes available for purchase on September 15th, and so on.

Only one monthly pass at the subsidized rate of $35 will be permitted per participant per month.

All passes must be purchased in person by the eligible recipient unless otherwise arranged with Edmonton Transit Service. Adults may purchase passes for other eligible individuals on their account but children will not be allowed to purchase this pass for other individuals.

Online and mail options are not currently available for the Ride Transit Program.

ETS does not replace lost or stolen passes.Monthly passes can be purchased at the full fare rate at any of the 300 participating ETS retailers until the 9th of each month or any time at Edmonton Service Centre.  Strips of Adult or Youth tickets can be purchased anytime where ETS products are sold.

Monthly passes will be available for purchase for program participants on the 15 of each month at:

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

Abbottsfield - Penny McKee Library
3410 118 Avenue 
Serviced by ETS routes: 8, 141, 142, 180, 183
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 

Jasper Place Library
9010 156 Street
Serviced by ETS routes: 1, 310
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 

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

Woodcroft Library (Westmount)
13420 114 Avenue
Serviced by ETS routes:
5,122,124,128,150
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. Open 7 days a week, with the exception of The Edmonton Service Centre* 

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 sharing the same application process for all eligible Edmontonians looking to use the full range of benefits offered by these programs.

Please note that picture identification is required to purchase monthly transit pass at the subsidized rate of $35 and your recreations membership card is the best ID to use.

Newcomers to Canada with Refugee status who are receiving Refugee Assistance Program (RAP) funding can submit a letter of Income Verification from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) along with their Refugee Protection Claimant Document and their application to the Ride Transit Program. The letter from CIC should include their name, file number, monthly allowance and number of family members.