Youth under the age of 18 can ride OC Transpo for free this summer. Here’s what you need to know

An OC Transpo bus is seen at St. Laurent Station. June 11, 2026. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

Children and youth can ride OC Transpo buses, the O-Train and Para Transpo for free this summer.

As of July 1, pre-teens and youth ages 11 to 18 can board OC Transpo for free until Aug. 31. The free transit applies to all trips on OC Transpo bus routes and O-Train Lines 1, 2 and 4.

Council approved the plan to offer free transit to riders ages 18 and under as part of the 2026 budget.

Here is how pre-teens and youth can ride for free this summer, according to OC Transpo.

• Purchase a Presto card
• Set a “pre-teen or youth pass” on the card. The pass you need depends on your age, according to OC Transpo.
• Tap your card on the fare gate or fare reader to board for free.

A Presto card costs $4, and can be purchased at participating Shoppers, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstores.

Starting Sept. 1, pre-teens and youth can ride OC Transpo for free on weekday evenings after 5 p.m., on weekends and on holidays. Regular fares apply outside of those times.

According to the motion, presented by Coun. Shawn Menard in December, the cost of free transit for riders ages 18 and under in July and August, and on weekday evenings, weekends and holidays is $340,000 a year.

Children ages 10 and under can ride OC Transpo buses and the O-Train for free.

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