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Access pass

About the Access pass

The Access pass offers full fare on OC Transpo conventional bus and train services. On Para Transpo trips, the pass will let you save one-third of the single-ride fare. The Access pass is the same price as the Community pass. It can offer savings for Para Transpo customers who also ride OC Transpo bus and train service.

If you are a Para Transpo customer who never uses OC Transpo, you should not buy the Access pass. The pass will not offer you any savings.

Access pass eligibility

In order take advantage of Access discount, you need to:

  1. Be a registered Para Transpo customer
  2. Live in Ottawa

Helpful tips for customers

The Access pass may be a good option if you:

  • Are a Para Transpo customer who uses a combination of OC Transpo and Para Transpo services
  • Only use OC Transpo bus and train services in a given month

Whether the Access pass offers savings depends on your travel choices each month.

Best value pass for you

Access pass Adult pass

You make:

  • Less than 32 trips per month on Para Transpo
  • 13 or more trips per month on OC Transpo

You make:

  • 34 or more trips per month on Para Transpo

You cannot buy an Access pass through ParaPay. Instead, purchase your Access pass on a Presto card. This will allow you to use your pass on OC Transpo buses and the O-Train. Calling an OC Transpo Customer Service Representative is the quickest way to set the Access discount on your card.

How to use Presto

Learn how to load money onto your Presto card, register your card, and use your card to ride transit.

Fares

Transit fares effective January 1, 2024

Per-ride

Presto Access
e-Purse
$3.80

Per-month

Presto monthly Access pass $43.25

In the Para Transpo rural zone, Access pass holders must pay a flat-rate of $10.25 (children aged 12 and under ride free).

Required top-ups

Access pass holders need to pay a top-up to ride Para Transpo:

Access pass per-ride top-up
Regular (urban) fare zone $2.55

How to apply

Apply by telephone

  1. Have the following information ready before starting your telephone application:
    • Para Transpo ID number
    • Registered Presto card number
  2. Call an OC Transpo Customer Service Representative to complete the Access pass discount application process.

After applying by phone, allow 10 days for your application to be approved. Once approved, your discount will be set automatically.

Attention iconCaution: You must either use your Presto card or purchase your monthly pass within 30 days of the approval for the discount to be applied.

Apply by mail or fax

Postal mail icon

OC Transpo: Access pass discount program
925 Belfast Road
Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z4

Allow at least 3 weeks for your application to be processed, plus mailing time. Apply by telephone to set your discount within 10 days.

Fax icon

Fax: 613-746-7648

  1. Fill in the Access pass discount application form:

    Access pass discount application form

  2. Send the following documents to OC Transpo by postal mail or fax. Photocopies will be accepted.
    • Completed Access pass discount application form
    • Registered Presto card number

Apply in-person

Apply by telephone to avoid line ups at the Customer Service Centre. Apply in-person if you need to set the Access pass discount the same day as your application.

  1. Fill in the Access pass discount application form:

    Access pass discount application form

  2. Bring the following documents with you to an OC Transpo Customer Service Centre. Photocopies will be accepted.
    • Completed Access pass discount application form
    • Valid photo ID or completed Eligible Guarantor Form
    • Registered Presto card number

Don’t let your discount expire!

To make sure you don't lose your discount, call us at least 10 days before the expiration date to renew your Access pass discount.

Required information

To complete your Access pass discount application, you will need to provide your:

  • Para Transpo ID number
    • New to Para Transpo? Para Transpo is transit service open to eligible customers who are unable to take conventional transit (buses and O-Train) some or all of the time due to a disability.
  • Presto card number: 17-digit registration number found on the back of Presto cards; or
  • Valid photo ID: For example, an age of majority card, workplace or volunteer ID card, driver’s licence, or passport.
    • Don't have valid photo ID? You can verify your identity with help from an eligible guarantor. The completed Eligible Guarantor Form must be submitted with your application.