Here’s what you need to know about the OC Transpo fare increase for 2026

An O-Train on Line 1 pulls into Bayview Station in this undated image. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa transit riders are facing a fare bump on New Year’s Day, with the cost of a monthly pass continuing to be the fourth highest in the country.

The 2026 City of Ottawa budget includes an average 2.5 per cent increase in transit fares as of Jan. 1, 2026.

The cost of a monthly adult transit pass will increase $3.50 to $138.50 as of Thursday. A single fare for adults will increase a dime to $4.15 when paying by cash and $4.10 when paying by debit/credit/Presto card.

Ottawa has the fourth-highest adult monthly transit fare in Canada, with the Toronto Transit Commission charging $156 a month, Brampton Transit charging $141.25 and Mississauga’s MiWay charging $141.

As of Jan. 1, the cost of an adult monthly transit pass with Gatineau’s STO will be $116.50, up from $113 in 2025. A cash fare for Gatineau’s STO will be $4.75 in 2026, the highest single fare for adults in Canada.

Here is a look at the new transit fares for OC Transpo, as of Jan. 1, 2026:

• Adult monthly pass: $138.50/month ($135 in 2025)
• Senior monthly pass: $59.75 ($58.25 in 2025)
• U-Pass: $60.17 per month ($58.70 per month in 2025)
• 1-day pass: $12.25 ($12 in 2025)
• 3-day pass: $30.75 ($30 in 2025)
• 5-day pass: $49 ($47.75 in 2025)
• Adult single-fare ride (paid by card): $4.10 ($4 in 2025)
• Adult single-fare ride (paid by cash): $4.15 ($4.05 in 2025)
• Senior single-ride fare (paid by e-purse): $3.28 ($3.20 in 2025)
• Pre-teen single ride fare (paid by e-purse: $2.05 ($2 in 2025)

The EquiPass and Community monthly passes will remain the same as 2025 rates.

Children under the age of 10 ride OC Transpo buses and the O-Train for free.

Other changes coming to OC Transpo in 2026

• Starting in April, trains on O-Train Line 1 will run every 6 minutes on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and every 7.5 minutes between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on weekday evenings.
• Starting July 1, the transfer window for weekdays between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. will be extended from 90 minutes to 105 minutes.
• As of July 1, transit fares will be free for riders ages 18 and under on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.