New Discounts And Initiatives To Help Transit Riders Go Farther And Save More

Starting on March 14, Metrolinx made transit around the Greater Golden Horseshoe more affordable with bigger discounts for transit riders. This means more savings and more reasons to choose transit.

Discounted Fare Rates for Youth and Post-Secondary Students
The GGH’s young riders are going places; and Metrolinx wants to help them get there. For customers aged 13 to 19, Metrolinx has increased the discount from 22.5 to 40 per cent off adult fares. As always, children 12 and under ride GO and UP Express free. This discount also applies to full-time post-secondary student riders, regardless of age, on GO Transit and UP Express.

This discount means students will have more money in their pocket to enjoy those daily cups of coffee or a weekend outing with friends. Parents can breathe a little easier with decreased costs for their students within the household.

How it works
GO and UP Express customers who are 13 to 19, regardless of whether or not they are enrolled as a student, or enrolled in post-secondary full-time can benefit from the discounted fare. Those with the youth fare option set up on their PRESTO card need to travel with their Canadian school-issued ID or government-issued ID as proof of age. To set up a post-secondary fare for GO Transit and UP Express, you must have a GO Student ID. Learn about how to get one here: gotransit.com/studentid

100% Co-Fare for GO Transfers
Metrolinx is making it easier to leave the car at home and get on GO Transit. With the GO Co-Fare program, riders transferring between most local transit systems and GO Transit enjoy 100 per cent off on their local transit fare. This means rides between GO Transit and most local transit are completely free. This includes the Durham Region Transit, Milton Transit, Grand River Transit, Guelph Transit, Oakville Transit, MiWay, Brampton Transit, Hamilton Street Railway, Burlington Transit, Bradford West Gwillimbury Transit and York Region Transit, with continued participation with Barrie Transit.

How it works
For transit agencies that use PRESTO, the discount will be applied automatically when you tap between GO Transit and your local transit agency. For others, show your PRESTO card, valid single-ride paper ticket or day pass GO ticket as proof of GO fare payment.

GO Affordability Project
Metrolinx is making transit more affordable to residents across the region. Starting March 14, GO Transit will be offering 50 per cent off on fares for eligible participants in Peel’s low-income pilot program. This program will be extended to more regions and transit agencies in the GTHA in the coming months.

This discount will open more doors and opportunities to riders who need it most, so they connect to jobs, education and leisure trips in more places around the region without feeling the financial pinch.

How it works
Peel Region residents enrolled in Peel Region’s Affordable Transit Program will receive the 50 per cent reimbursement on any GO Transit trip. It doesn’t have to begin, end or include travel within Brampton or Mississauga. To receive the fare reimbursement, tap on a PRESTO device within 30 days of your GO Transit trip, and within a week, you’ll see the reimbursed fare in your PRESTO account.

These changes are just some of the ways Metrolinx is making transit a more affordable and convenient option for people across the region. Other initiatives include:

• Online Weekend Passes: offering unlimited travel across the GO network all day or weekend long for a flat fare.
• Kids GO Free: kids 12 and under travel on GO trains and buses free.
• Reduced fares for short distance GO trips.