Fares, pass and ticket enquiries
Fares, pass and ticket enquiries FAQ
- What are the current fares?
- Are there fare discounts? Who qualifies?
- Can I avoid long lineups at Sales Offices at the beginning of the month?
- Where can I buy bus tickets or passes?
- Why are bus tickets better than cash?
- What is the ‘all-day’ DayPass?
- I lost my bus pass, who do I contact?
- What is the difference between Express Fare and Regular Fare?
- Why was my Child charged regular fare?
- What is the ECOPASS program?
- Why was my bus pass confiscated?
- How are fares determined?
- What is the 50/50 fair/subsidy ratio?
What are the current fares?
Current fares are effective July 1, 2011. For info on adult, senior, student and child fares, please visit our Tickets and Cash Fares page. For info on transit passes, please visit our passes page. For Photo ID cards, please visit our Photo ID card page.
Are there fare discounts? Who qualifies?
Bus tickets continue to offer savings compared to a regular cash fare - you save $1.30 per return trip. If you travel 20 days a month or more, you can save an additional $10 with a regular monthly pass.
Children aged 5 years or less ride free on all OC Transpo services. Children aged 6 to 11 ride free on the O-Train, but pay child fare on all bus routes. Child fares - click on the ‘Child’ tab.
To qualify for a Student transit pass, you must be in full-time attendance at primary, secondary, or post-secondary school. Student fares and passes - click on the ‘Students’ tab.
Seniors 65 and older can ride free all-day on Wednesdays, and after 12 noon on Mondays and Fridays. This offer includes all bus routes and the O-Train, but does not include Para Transpo. Seniors should be prepared to show proof of age. Senior fares - click on the ‘Senior’ tab.
The discounted Community Pass reduces the cost of transit for Ottawa residents who receive ODSP benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program. Registered Para Transpo customers are also entitled to purchase a Community pass whether or not they receive ODSP Benefits. Community Pass - click on the ‘Community’ tab.
The DayPass allows unlimited travel all day, making it a great low-cost way for tourists, residents, and entire families to see the city. DayPass - click on the ‘DayPass’ tab.
The ECOPASS is a transit pass available through a payroll deduction program with registered employers.
Can I avoid long lineups at Sales Offices at the beginning of the month?
Passes are usually available starting the 20th of the month. Buy your pass early to avoid long lineups.
We have approximately 300 vendors across the city - new vendors are added from time to time and some existing vendors are removed. Please check the vendor map for a list of our vendors. Some vendors only sell passes while others may sell only tickets.
If you visited one of our vendors that should have had the passes or tickets for sale but they were unavailable, or if you have any other concerns about our vendors, please let us know.
Where can I buy bus tickets or passes?
To be eligible for an OC Transpo Photo ID and bus pass, you must be a resident of Ontario. Bus tickets and transit passes can be purchased at our OC Transpo Sales and Information Centres, Government Service Centres and various local Vendors. Some colleges and universities also have pass and ticket outlets on campus, for thier students.
Use the Google map to find a vendor near you. NOTE: Please ensure you have selected the ‘Vendors’ tab. Then just enter an address in the address field and you will see the vendors near your location.
Why are bus tickets better than cash?
Bus tickets continue to offer savings compared to a regular cash fare - you save $1.30 per return trip. If you travel 20 days a month or more, you can save an additional $10 with a regular monthly pass.
What is the ‘all-day’ DayPass?
The DayPass allows unlimited travel all day, making it a great low-cost way for tourists, residents, and entire families to see the city. The whole family travels with one DayPass on weekends and statutory holidays. The DayPass must be bought directly from the bus driver for exact change on the day of travel.
I lost my bus pass, who do I contact?
Contact our Lost & Found office at 613-563-4011. All items must be claimed at the Lost & Found office located at Heartwood House, 153 Chapel Street.
Be sure to complete the information section on the back of your bus pass. When the item pass is turned in, this will help us return the pass to you.
If you find a lost bus pass, please give it to any bus operator, or drop it in a Canada Post mailbox.
What is the difference between Express Fare and Regular Fare?
Express fare is $4.25 or three tickets, which is more than regular fare. Express routes provide direct, quick trips from suburban communities to downtown and back during rush hours.
Why was my Child charged regular fare?
Children 6 to 11 years old are charged child’s fare. If your child is 11 years or younger - but appears older, we recommend that you obtain an OC Transpo Child Photo ID for them. The child’s photo ID card is free and can be obtained at our Sales and Information Centres. Children 5 and under travel for free.
What is the ECOPASS program?
ECOPASS is an economical transit pass purchased through a payroll deduction program. To sign up for this program, your employer must be registered with the program. We recommend discussing this program with your payroll administrator for further information and review the following link for additional information.
Why was my bus pass confiscated?
Your bus pass may have been confiscated for one of the following reasons:
- OC Transpo Photo ID card doesn’t match the type of bus pass.
- Bus pass isn’t current.
- Photo ID numbers not entered on monthly bus pass.
In the event that these criteria were met and your pass was still confiscated, please fill out this Customer Service Form and we will address your concerns.
How are fares determined?
The objective of Ottawa’s transit service is to offer effective travel options at the lowest possible cost. In recent years, 50% of transit’s operating cost was recovered from passenger fares, with the remainder funded by property taxes. Some funding for transit operations is received from the provincial or federal governments through the gas tax transfer, but property taxes are the City’s only other funding source.
Fares help determine transit’s economic competitiveness compared to car ownership and operation. The transit fare structure can enhance product management and help build new markets by providing incentives for loyal customers. Fare collection systems that use advanced technologies can do even more to achieve the City’s financial performance, modal shift and social objectives.
What is the 50/50 fair/subsidy ratio?
The objective of Ottawa’s transit service is to offer effective travel options at the lowest possible cost. In recent years, 50% of transit’s operating cost was recovered from passenger fares, with the remainder funded by property taxes. Some funding for transit operations is received from the provincial or federal governments through the gas tax transfer, but property taxes are the City’s only other funding source.
Fares help determine transit’s economic competitiveness compared to car ownership and operation. The transit fare structure can enhance product management and help build new markets by providing incentives for loyal customers. Fare collection systems that use advanced technologies can do even more to achieve the City’s financial performance, modal shift and social objectives.
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