Ride Transit Program

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The Ride Transit Program provides greater access to Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) by reducing financial barriers for individuals and families in Edmonton. Through a partnership with the Government of Alberta, this program provides monthly passes to eligible Edmontonians at a subsidized rate.

Please note that Ride transit passes are non-transferable and intended for use only by the eligible Ride transit participant.

If you are a first-time applicant, please visit New Applications for more information.

Ride Transit Passes Purchase Options

Online Purchases

Purchase your pass at ride.edmonton.ca 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We accept: credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), VISA Debit, Debit Mastercard, or prepaid VISA/Mastercard.

Note: To use the Ride Transit Program online store, you must have an online account.

To have an online store account created for you, please email businessdevelopment@edmonton.ca to request one.

You may also purchase your first pass over the phone by calling 780-423-RIDE (7433). During this phone call, you can request to have an email invite sent to you, so your future passes can be purchased online. This email invite will be sent to you within 2-4 business days of your request.

If you are signing up for the auto-debit program, you will not be eligible to have an online account as only one of the two methods of purchase is permitted at the same time.

Over-the-Phone Purchases

Call 780-423-RIDE (7433) Monday-Friday between 8am-4:30pm.

You can purchase your first pass over the phone. During this phone call, you can request to have an email invite sent to you, so you can purchase future passes online. This email invite will be sent to you within 2-3 business days after your request.

We accept: VISA Debit, Debit Mastercard, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, or prepaid VISA/Mastercard.

In-Person Purchases

If you need to purchase a pass with cash or regular debit, you can do so at:

Clareview Community Recreation Centre
Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre
Edmonton Service Centre (Monday-Friday between 8am-4:30pm)
The Meadows Community Recreation Centre
Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre

Last Day and First Day to Purchase a Monthly Pass

Pass Month	Last Day for Purchase	First Day for Purchase
February 2024	February 2: By phone February 5: Online February 14: In person at City of Edmonton Rec Centres February 23: in person at Edmonton Service Centre	January 8: By phone January 9: Online January 8: In person at Edmonton Service Centre January 15 : In person at City of Edmonton Rec Centres
March 2024	March 1: By phone March 4: Online March 14: In person at City of Edmonton Rec Centres March 22: in person at Edmonton Service Centre	February 5: By phone February 6: Online February 12: In person at Edmonton Service Centre February 15: In person at City of Edmonton Rec Centres
April 2024	March 28: By phone April 8: Online April 14: In person at City of Edmonton Rec Centres April 24: in person at Edmonton Service Centre	March 4: By phone March 5: Online March 13: In person at Edmonton Service Centre March 15: In person at City of Edmonton Rec Centres
May 2024	May 3: By phone May 6: Online May 14: In person at City of Edmonton Rec Centres May 27: in person at Edmonton Service Centre	April 2: By phone April 9: Online April 8: In person at Edmonton Service Centre April 15: In person at City of Edmonton Rec Centres
June 2024	May 31: By phone June 3: Online June 14: In person at City of Edmonton Rec Centres June 24: in person at Edmonton Service Centre	May 6: By phone May 7: Online May 13: In person at Edmonton Service Centre May 15: In person at City of Edmonton Rec Centres

Applications and Eligibility

Application Form

New Applications

If you do not have an existing membership to the Leisure Access Program or the Ride Transit Program, fill out the Leisure Access and Ride Transit Programs Application Form .

The approval processing time depends on the varying number of applications received each day, but typical wait times are approximately 6-8 weeks. Once your application is processed, you will be sent a letter in the mail to the address listed on your application. This letter will detail all of your benefits and how to access them.

Conditional approval of the Ride Transit Program is only offered at the Edmonton Service Centre. Conditional approvals are offered only at the time of completed application submission. The completed application:

Must be completely filled out
Must be signed on page 2
Must include all required qualifying and supporting documentation.
The applicant is required to have a government-issued photo ID (some conditions apply)
Make an appointment at the Edmonton Service Centre (2nd floor of Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Ave NW) to ensure our staff can adequately review your application.

If you or your spouse have left Ukraine through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program and arrived in Canada within the last year, you are eligible for the Ride Transit Program and the Leisure Access Program. Some restrictions apply. For more information on applying for these programs (even if you are only interested in the Ride Transit Program), please visit the Leisure Access Program page. All applicants who apply for the Leisure Access or Ride Transit programs are automatically assessed for both programs.

Submitting Your Application

Mailing Your Application

Completed applications can be sent by mail:

Leisure Access & Ride Transit Program
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, AB, T5J 2R7

Faxed/emailed and In-person Submissions

Faxed or e-mailed forms are not accepted. In-person submissions are allowed, but applications cannot be reviewed immediately.

Dropping off Applications

The fastest way to have your completed application reviewed is by dropping off your application at Edmonton Tower, 2nd floor, mail slot near the ETS Lost and Found:

Edmonton Tower, 2nd Floor
10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB, T5J 0J4

Eligibility

The Ride Transit Program and the Leisure Access Program use the Canada Revenue Agency’s Annual Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) figures to assess applicants.

If your total household income (up to two married or common-law partners and your dependent children aged 17 and under) is at or less than the low-income cut-offs (LICO) figures + 10%, you will qualify for a $35 monthly transit pass. You may also qualify for a $35 monthly transit pass if you meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria:

If you or your spouse receive Government of Alberta Income Support through Alberta Works, or Foundational Learner Assistance funding
If you or your spouse receive AISH benefits (Alberta Assistance for the Severely Handicapped)
If you or your spouse receives the Canada Pension Plan - Disability Benefit
If you became a new Permanent Resident or were approved as a Refugee within the last year (new Permanent Residents must not have been eligible to file Canadian taxes prior to becoming Permanent Residents)
If you are a Child Under Government Care (aged 17 and younger)
Receiving or are the spouse of someone receiving Employment Insurance (EI) (assessed for the Ride Transit Program only)
If you apply with a letter from a Registered Social Worker which details your eligibility for the program (assessed for the Ride Transit Program only)

If your household income is between 10% and 25% above the LICO figures, you may qualify for a $50 monthly transit pass.

Leisure Access & Ride Transit Program Application Information and Form.

Household Income Qualifications for 2023

People in Household	Household Income ($35 monthly pass)	Household Income ($50 monthly pass)
1	$33,579	$33,580 - $38,158
2	$41,803	$41,804 - $47,504
3	$51,392	$51,393 - $58,400
4	$62,396	$62,397 - $70,905
5	$70,770	$70,771 - $80,420
6	$79,816	$79,817 - $90,700
7	$88,864	$88,865 - $100,981

Please note:

The listed LICO numbers apply to Line 15000 on your 2022 Notice of Assessment. These numbers are subject to changes made by the Canada Revenue Agency
Dependants aged 18 and older must apply independently of their parents or legal guardians and provide their own eligibility documentation
If you are married or living common-law and applying with your Notice of Assessment, you are required to list your spouse on the application and provide their Notice of Assessment for the same tax year as well (unless your spouse has never entered Canada, in which case please respond “yes” to the applicable question on the application form)
If you are married or living common-law and any of the following qualifiers apply to you or your spouse, both spouses/partners can qualify for the program(s) provided both your names are listed on the application form: Income Support, Foundational Learner Support, AISH, Canada Pension Plan - Disability Benefit, or EI (EI for Ride Transit only)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ride Transit Program the same as the Leisure Access Program (LAP)?

The application/renewal process is the same and you will automatically be considered for both programs. Please note that even if you qualify for LAP, you are not eligible for a monthly pass under the Ride Transit Program if you are:

A child 5 years old or younger
A Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) card holder (free when you display your CNIB identification when boarding)
26% above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) or unable to provide income verification documentation
A child under government care who receives a transit pass from Child and Family Services

How do I apply? What if I only want a transit pass?

Citizens who want to apply for the Leisure Access Program or ETS Ride Transit Pass Program can apply for both programs with one application.

It is completely optional for participants to use the recreation facilities and attractions offered by joining the programs. There is no charge for the Leisure Access membership. Ride Transit and Leisure Access are two separate programs that share the same application process. Together, they offer eligible Edmontonians a full range of benefits.

Please note that your Leisure Access membership card or government issued photo ID is required to purchase a monthly transit pass at the subsidized rate of $35 or $50 and your recreation membership card is the best ID to use.

What if I have just arrived in Canada and have not filed taxes yet?

Newcomers to Canada can provide a copy of confirmation of Permanent Residence or Refugee protection claimant document as long as arrival dates are within one year for each person applying.