Fare change takes effect January 1
OC Transpo fares are changing on January 1*. Most fares will increase by 2.5 percent. Fare changes were approved by Ottawa City Council as part of the 2026 budget.
There will be no change to the price of the EquiPass, Community pass or Access pass.
*Monthly passes for January 2026 go on sale December 18.
Printed fare information on board buses is in the process of being updated and will be completed by mid-January. Current information is available on our Fares page.
New fare rates
| Adult | $4.10 |
|---|---|
| Seniors (65+) | $3.28 |
| Pre-teen (11-12) | $2.05 |
| Para Transpo Rural | $11.00 |
| Cash fare | $4.15 |
| 1 day | $12.25 |
|---|---|
| 3 days | $30.75 |
| 5 days | $49.00 |
| 7 days | $58.00 |
| 2-for-1 DayPass | $12.25 |
| Adult | $138.50 |
|---|---|
| Senior (65+) | $59.75 |
| Park & Ride Monthly permit | $31.00/mo |
|---|---|
| Park & Ride Gold Pass monthly permit | $70.00/mo |
Your fares at work
We rely on fares to keep our city moving. Your fares help pay for buses, fuel, employee wages, bus shelters, system improvements and much more. Thank you for supporting the transit system by paying your fare.
FYI
All customers must use a Presto card to pay for discounted fares. O-Payment (credit, debit tap) and cash pay for Adult fares only.For seniors
NEW! Beginning Jan 1, 2026, Para Transpo seniors age 65 and up will be eligible for four free trips a month when they use a registered Presto card to pay per trip.
Your free monthly trips will be issued as a refund in the form of a Presto credit at the beginning of the following month. We’ll be issuing the credit for the first part of 2026 later this spring and will move to monthly credits after that point. We’ll share more information closer to the date.
Some Seniors age 65 and up who currently purchase a monthly pass may choose to start paying per trip instead, to receive the credit. Refunds cannot be issued to monthly passes or to unregistered Presto cards.
There is no action required by customers to receive this credit if you already have a Senior discount on your registered Presto card and are paying per trip. Be sure to use the same Presto card for all of your Para Transpo trips. Simply tap your Presto card and enjoy the ride!
For kids and pre-teens
Kids ages 10 and under ride for free every day. Simply board a bus 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
Pre-teens ages 11-12 are eligible for a reduced single-ride fare ($2.05).
FYI
The Pre-Teen discount is listed as “Child” on Prestocard.ca and at Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore locations. Don’t worry! This is the correct discount.Buying a Presto card and setting a discount
Where can I buy a Presto card?
You can buy a Presto card at:
- Ticket machines
- Rideau Centre OC Transpo Customer Service Centre
- Select City of Ottawa Client Service Centres
- Participating Shoppers Drug Marts, Loblaws, No Frills, Independent Grocers, and Real Canadian Superstores
I'm eligible for a reduced fare, how do I set it on my Presto card?
You can set a Senior or Pre-Teen discount at:
- Rideau Centre OC Transpo Customer Service Centre
- Participating Shoppers Drug Marts, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstores
- Select City of Ottawa Client Service Centres
For other reduced fares, see more information about:
Is fare capping an option?
Yes! Fare capping means that you can tap your Presto card on the fare readers all month and your fares will automatically be capped at the price of a monthly pass. You will not be charged for any additional trips beyond the price of a monthly pass.
Fare capping is also available with O-Payment for an Adult monthly pass or DayPass. Make sure to tap the same card each time.
Changes coming in 2026
Looking forward
More changes will come into effect later this year. Here's what to expect:
- The transfer window will be temporarily extended to 105 minutes on weekdays between 3 pm and 6 pm, until the opening of the O-Train West Extension
- Free trips for customers age 18 and under on weekends,weekdays after 5 pm, public holidays and during the months of July and August
We'll share more information about these changes in the coming months.