OC Transpo hikes fares on New Year's Day: Here's how Ottawa's transit fares compare to other Canadian cities

An OC Transpo user paying for a transit fare. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)

Transit riders are paying more to board OC Transpo buses and the O-Train in 2025.

The City of Ottawa increased transit fares by an average of 5 per cent in the 2025 budget as part of a plan to address a $120 million shortfall in the OC Transpo operating budget this year.

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The cost of a monthly adult pass increases $6.25 to $135, while a youth monthly bus pass now costs $104, up $4.75 from 2024.

A review of transit fares across Canada shows OC Transpo now charges the fourth most expensive adult monthly transit fare in Canada, while the youth monthly bus pass is the third highest across the country. The cost of a single-ride cash fare on OC Transpo at $4.05 is the fourth highest in Canada.

OC Transpo is eliminating free rides for 11- and 12-year-olds, with a single ride now costing $2.

The City of Ottawa will increase the cost of a senior's monthly bus pass on Feb. 1 to $58.25, up from $49 last year.

The annual hike in transit fares comes as OC Transpo prepares to launch two new train lines in 2025. On Jan. 6, OC Transpo will open the new north-south Line 2 and Line 4, running between Bayview Station and Riverside South with a link to the Ottawa International Airport.

Later this year, OC Transpo is expected to open the eastern link of the Line 1 Confederation Line, running between Blair Station and Trim Station.

Here is a look at the OC Transpo fare increases:

As of Jan. 1, 2025:

• Adult monthly pass: $135 ($128.75 in 2024)
• Youth monthly pass (13 to 18 years-old): $104 ($99.25 in 2024)
• Adult single-ride fare (paid by card): $4 ($3.80 in 2024)
• Adult single-ride fare (paid by cash): $4.05 ($3.85 in 2024)
• Senior single-ride fare (paid by e-purse): $3.20 ($2.90 in 2024)
• 11–12-year-old single-ride fare (paid by e-purse): $2 (free in 2024). The fare is $4 if paying with cash.
• 1-day pass: $12 ($11.75 in 2024)
• 3-day pass: $30 ($28.50 in 2024)
• 5-day pass: $47.75 ($45.75 in 2024)
• 7-day pass: $56.75 ($54.25 in 2024)
• 2-for-1 day pass (weekends/holidays): $12 ($11.75 in 2024)

As of Feb. 1, 2025:

• Senior monthly pass: $58.25 ($49 in 2024)

Here is a look at the cost of transit fares across Canada.

Adult monthly pass

• Toronto Transit Commission: $156
• Brampton Transit: $141.25
• Mississauga MiWay: $141
• OC Transpo: $135
• Hamilton Transit: $123.20
• Calgary Transit: $118
• Winnipeg Transit: $115.50
• Gatineau STO: $113
• TransLink Vancouver: 1 Zone $107.30, 2 Zone $143.50
• Edmonton Transit: $100 fare cap with Arc Card
• Montreal STM: $100
• Kingston Transit: $80

Adult single-ride cash fares

• Gatineau STO: $4.50 ($3.90 with E-Wallet)
• Brampton Transit: $4.50
• Mississauga MiWay: $4.25
• OC Transpo: $4.05 ($4 with Presto/O-Payment)
• Calgary Transit: $3.80
• Montreal STM: $3.75
• Edmonton Transit: $3.50
• Hamilton Transit: $3.50
• Winnipeg Transit: $3.35
• Toronto Transit Commission: $3.35 ($3.30 with debit/credit card)
• Kingston Transit: $3.25
• TransLink Vancouver: $3.20 (Zone 1), $4.65 (2 Zone)

Youth monthly pass

• Toronto Transit Commission: $128.15
• Brampton Transit: $118
• OC Transpo: $104
• Hamilton Transit: $101.20
• Winnipeg Transit: $84.70
• Calgary Transit: $82 ($86 effective September 2025)
• Edmonton Transit: $73 monthly fare cap with Arc Card
• Gatineau STO: $69 (ages 20 and under)
• TransLink Vancouver: Concession fare of $61.35
• Montreal STM: $60
• Kingston Transit: $59.50

Senior monthly pass

• Toronto Transit Commission: $128.15
• Mississauga MiWay: $65
• TransLink Vancouver: Concession fare of $61.35
• Kingston Transit: $59.50
• OC Transpo: $58.25 (as of Feb. 1)
• Winnipeg Transit: $57.75
• Gatineau STO: $50
• Hamilton Transit: $44.50
• Edmonton Transit: $35 monthly fare cap with Arc Card
• Calgary Transit offers an annual senior's pass: $159
• Brampton Transit: Free
• Montreal Transit: Montreal residents ride for free in Zone A with the Free 65+ fare