🚌 Which Discount Applies to You?
Low IncomeEquiPass — ~50% off monthly passes. Income-tested via your NOA.
On ODSPCommunity Pass — reduced fares for ODSP recipients. No income test.
Senior 65+Free rides Wednesdays & Sundays. 57% off monthly pass every other day.
Full-Time StudentU-Pass at Carleton, uOttawa, Algonquin — ~$240/term unlimited rides.
Child under 11Ride completely FREE every day, no card needed.
Refugee / NewcomerDisplaced Persons Transit Pass Program via Catholic Centre for Immigrants.
$0
Seniors (65+)
Wed & Sun rides
Wed & Sun rides
$58.25
EquiPass monthly
(vs ~$136 adult)
(vs ~$136 adult)
$240
U-Pass per term
(unlimited rides)
(unlimited rides)
57%
Senior monthly
pass discount
pass discount
Transit in Ottawa isn't cheap — an adult monthly pass on OC Transpo runs around $136 in 2026. But depending on your age, income, or student status, you may qualify for significant discounts — or even free rides. Here's a complete, up-to-date guide to every OC Transpo discount and reduced-fare program available in Ottawa right now, with exactly what you need to apply.
🚌 Every OC Transpo Discount Program (2026)
New in 2026
Starting January 1, 2026, seniors aged 65+ who use Para Transpo and pay per trip with a registered Presto card receive four free trips per month, issued as a Presto credit at the beginning of the following month. No registration required — if you already have a Senior discount on your registered Presto card and pay per-trip, you'll receive this credit automatically.📊 All Programs Side by Side
👉 Scroll right on mobile
| Program | Who Qualifies | Monthly Cost | How to Apply | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EquiPass | Low-income Ottawa residents (NOA-tested) | ~$58.25/mo | Email equipass@ottawa.ca | 613-560-5000 |
| Community Pass | ODSP recipients, Ottawa residents | Reduced fare | Call OC Transpo Customer Service | 613-560-5000 |
| Senior Pass | Age 65+ (photo ID required) | 57% off / Free Wed & Sun | Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, or CSC | Any participating Shoppers |
| U-Pass | Full-time students (Algonquin, Carleton, uOttawa) | $240.52/term | Included in student fees — automatic | Contact your school's student association |
| Child Fare (under 11) | Children 10 and younger | Free | No registration needed for buses | Free Child card at Rideau CSC for O-Train |
| Pre-Teen Fare | Ages 11–12 | $2.05/ride | Presto card + proof of age at Shoppers | Shoppers Drug Mart or CSC |
| Refugee / Displaced Persons Pass | Displaced persons & refugees | Subsidized | Call Catholic Centre for Immigrants | 613-232-9634 |
| Ontario Works (Social Services) | Ontario Works recipients | Varies | Through Social Services — ask your caseworker | City of Ottawa Social Services |
💳 How to Apply: Step by Step
- 1Get a Presto card if you don't have one. Cards cost $4.00 and are available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, or online at prestocard.ca. All discounted fares require a Presto card — cash and O-Payment (tap) are adult fare only.
- 2Gather your documentation. For EquiPass: your 2024 or 2025 Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA. For Community Pass: your ODSP documentation. For Senior/Pre-Teen: government-issued photo ID showing your date of birth.
- 3Apply or set your discount. Age-based discounts (Senior, Pre-Teen) can be set at Shoppers Drug Mart. EquiPass and Community Pass must be set at an OC Transpo Customer Service Centre or by phone. Allow 10 business days for approval.
- 4Load your pass or e-purse. Once your discount is set, load a monthly pass or money for single rides through the Presto app, prestocard.ca, or at a Shoppers/Loblaws location. Monthly passes go on sale 14 days before the start of each month.
- 5Always tap your card. Even on free ride days (seniors on Wednesdays/Sundays), you must tap your Presto card for the system to recognize your discount. Untapped rides won't be recorded, and you may be fined by fare inspectors.
📌 EquiPass eligibility tip
As of January 2026, OC Transpo uses the 2024 LICO chart to assess income. You can submit either your 2024 or 2025 NOA. If you haven't filed taxes recently, contact the CRA to get a copy of your NOA before applying. You won't be accepted without it.
As of January 2026, OC Transpo uses the 2024 LICO chart to assess income. You can submit either your 2024 or 2025 NOA. If you haven't filed taxes recently, contact the CRA to get a copy of your NOA before applying. You won't be accepted without it.
📅 Free Ride Days & Best Value Strategy
| Pass Type | Free / Included Days | Paid Days | Best Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior (65+) | Wednesday + Sunday (free) | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Buy monthly pass for frequent riders; use Presto e-purse if light user |
| EquiPass | — | Every day at ~$58.25/mo | Monthly pass is always better value than per-ride if you commute regularly |
| U-Pass Students | All days — unlimited | — | Already in your student fees — use it every day, including STO to Gatineau |
| Weekend DayPass | 2-for-1 on weekends & holidays | — | One DayPass covers TWO adult riders on weekends — great for couples/friends |
🎓 University & College Students
U-Pass Update — Sept 2025
For students at Algonquin College, Carleton University, and University of Ottawa, the U-Pass is now fully integrated into your student card. You just tap your student card at the fare reader — no separate Presto card needed. The cost is $240.52 per academic term, included automatically in your student fees. It covers unlimited rides on all OC Transpo routes including the O-Train, plus STO service to Gatineau.
- 🔸If you live outside OC Transpo's service area, you may be able to opt out and receive a refund — contact your student association.
- 🔸Communities that may qualify for opt-out: Almonte, Carleton Place, Dunrobin, Carp, Osgoode, Rockland, Embrun, and other rural communities within city borders.
- 🔸The U-Pass covers STO routes to Gatineau — if you're crossing the river frequently, this alone makes it exceptional value.
⚡ Quick Reference
Free Rides
Seniors: Wed & Sun
Kids under 11: always
Kids under 11: always
EquiPass
~$58.25/mo
Low income, NOA needed
Low income, NOA needed
Community Pass
ODSP recipients
Reduced fare
Reduced fare
U-Pass
$240/term
Carleton, uOttawa, Algonquin
Carleton, uOttawa, Algonquin
Senior Monthly
57% off
Age 65+
Age 65+
Pre-Teen
$2.05/ride
Ages 11–12
Ages 11–12
Apply
613-560-5000
octranspo.com
octranspo.com
Get Presto
$4 — Shoppers,
Loblaws, online
Loblaws, online
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