Youth and Child fares
Single fare types
| Fare type | Per-ride fare | Summer 2026 fare |
|---|---|---|
| Child (10 and under) | Free | Free |
| Pre-teen (11-12) | $2.05* | Free* |
| Youth (13-18) | $4.10* | Free* |
| Student transit pass | Included | Free |
|
*Requires a Presto card with an age-based discount set at participating Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstores, or the OC Transpo Customer Service Centre. Find a location to set your discount |
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Ride for free this summer!
From July 1 until August 31, 2026, pre-teens and youth age 11-18 ride for free on OC Transpo buses, trains and Para Transpo.
Purchase a Presto card if you don’t already have one
Presto cards cost $4.00. You can buy one at participating Shoppers, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstores. Find a location here
Set a Pre-Teen or Youth pass on your card
The pass you need depends on your age. You can do this at participating Shoppers, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore locations. Find a location here
Tap your card on the fare gate or fare reader to board for free!
Even though you're riding for free, always tap your card when you board a bus or enter an O-Train station.
Child fares
Transit fares effective January 1, 2025
Kids 10 and under ride free.
If you’re taking a bus, Para Transpo, or Para Transpo Rural, simply board without paying a fare. If you’re taking the O-Train, you can either:
- Enter at the accessible (wide) fare gate with a fare-paying adult.
- Or if you're riding alone, tap through the fare gate with your Child card.
Getting your child card
In person
To get a free OC Transpo Child card, visit the Rideau Centre Customer Service Centre.
By email
Email us at octrideau@ottawa.ca with the information below and we’ll mail you your child’s card. Include the following:
- A clear photo of the child, from the shoulder up
- Child’s first and last names
- Child’s birth date
- Guardian's mailing address
- Phone number
- Your choice of the three card designs: owl, train, or bus:
Pre-Teen fares
To get a Presto card set with a Pre-Teen discount, go to the Rideau OC Transpo Customer Service Centre or a participating Shoppers Drug Mart store with proof of your age. A new Presto card costs $4.00. There is no cost to set the discount on a card you already bought.
Your Pre-Teen discount will appear as "Child". Don't worry! This is the correct discount.
2-for-1 DayPass
Weekends & statutory holidays
On weekends and statutory holidays, the one DayPass can be used as a 2-for-1 DayPass (valid for two customers aged 11 or older).
Get your DayPass on the bus (using exact change or money from your Presto card) or from the ticket machine at the O‑Train station (using cash, credit or debit).
Student transit pass
The Student transit pass is a card purchased by schoolboards from OC Transpo on behalf of grade 7-12 students who are eligible for school transportation and assigned to travel via pubic transit. No registration is required.
This card can be used at OC Transpo fare gates and on fare readers. Students should tap their student transit pass on the fare reader each time they board a bus.
For questions about the Student transit pass, please contact OSTA or CTSO.