Transit Access Grant (TAG) is a grant that provides single-fare transit products to eligible agencies to distribute to clients who need short-term transit support and who are in urgent transportation need.

Since its inception in 1996, the Transit Access Grant (originally named Donate A Ride) has distributed more than $4 million worth of transit tickets to those in need. Funding for the Transit Access Grant is determined by taking into account the urban Edmonton population and the local poverty rate. The number of tickets available varies from year to year based on these numbers.

The agencies who receive the Transit Access Grant supply transit tickets for those who need temporary basic transportation. Tickets cover 90-minute trips for users to get to employment, educational and social services, improving their quality of life. Individuals struggling with access to transportation should reach out to any organizations or agencies they are connected with to see what transit options are available.

Partner agencies include:

  • Some that support children, youth, adults and seniors
  • Some that support immigrants, refugee claimants and newcomers
  • Some that support individuals with mental, physical and medical challenges

Please reach out to the agency you are currently working with to see if they are able to support access to transit.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the program, organizations must:

  • Be a non-profit organization.
  • Have been in operation for at least 1 year.
  • Be in good standing with the City of Edmonton.
  • Provide essential social services and support to low-income individuals.
  • First-time applicants must provide a current Certificate of Incorporation, and the most recent proof of filing.
  • Have the capacity to provide administrative duties. This includes client intake, record keeping, fare inventory management, and reporting of fare distribution.

How to Apply?

Is there a limit to the number of tickets we can ask for?
The demand is always greater than the supply of Arc tickets. Please consider your request carefully based on the size of your agency and the agency’s ability to support clients with one of our more sustainable transit fare assistance programs (for example, Ride Transit and Senior subsidy programs).

Transit Access Grant Program Agency Tracking Form

To be notified when the 2027 application process opens, please provide the following details:

Name Job Title Email
Contact #1
Contact #2
Note: The email address for the first contact will receive an autoresponse confirming that your submission was received.

Personal information is being collected for the purpose of determining eligibility, and for the administration and management of the Edmonton Transit Fare Assistance, Transit Access Grant Program. Collection is authorized under section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) and is managed and protected in accordance with the Act. If you have questions about the collection, please contact the City of Edmonton Fare Assistance Program Coordinator at (780) 977-3162, email the Fare Assistance Program, or mail to “Fare Assistance Program Coordinator”, 15 Floor Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T5J 0J4.


Other Fare Assistance Programs

ETS has many programs that may support your clients. There are programs for seniors and families on a lower income, as well as youth and adults experiencing homelessness. Children 12 and under also ride free with a fare-paying customer.