OC Transpo offering free rides to youth 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.

OC Transpo is offering free rides for pre-teens and youth ages 11 to 18 from July 1 to August 31.

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

The free transit ride applies to all OC Transpo bus routes and O-Train Lines 1, 2 and 4.

OC Transpo outlines how pre-teens and youth can ride for free this summer:

• 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.

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

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

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