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: 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
