The Fair Pass Transit Discount Program is a City of Toronto poverty reduction initiative to make public transit more affordable for low-income Toronto residents.
The program provides a discount for eligible users for 12 months, programmed onto a PRESTO card. Cardholders must load funds to access the discounted Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) adult fare or TTC monthly pass.
The Fair Pass Transit Discount Program is subject to annual funding by City of Toronto Council.
City of Toronto staff will review each application to determine your eligibility for the Fair Pass Transit Discount Program, based on the following criteria:
Apply for a Fair Pass Discount
Apply only if you are a new client with a PRESTO card that does not have the Fair Pass discount. Current clients, please see Renewing Your Discount.
The Fair Pass Transit Discount Program is administered solely by the City of Toronto’s Application & Support Centre (ASC). This office falls under the Social Development, Finance, and Administration division’s Human Services Integration Office. The Application & Support Centre (ASC) will process all Fair Pass (FP) applications, renewals, and file updates.
Eligible residents will receive a 12-month Fair Pass discount programmed onto their PRESTO card. Cardholders will save $1.10 on the TTC adult fare for a single ride and $32.75 on a TTC adult monthly pass.
| TTC Fare Types | Regular Adult Fare* | Fair Pass User Pays | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Ride | $3.20 | $2.10 | $1.10 |
| Monthly Pass | $156.00 | $123.25 | $32.75 |
*Amounts based on PRESTO card payment and subject to TTC fare increases.
All City of Toronto residents between the age of 20 to 64, and receiving assistance through Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), or a Child Care Fee Subsidy through Toronto Children’s Services, are encouraged to apply. Each member of a household receiving assistance through these programs can apply with their own PRESTO card.
TTC has other transportation discounts intended for clients under 20 or over 64 years of age. Clients outside of this age requirements are encouraged to pursue TTC Youth, Post-Secondary Students, and Seniors Discounts.
Eligible clients must be receiving support from at least one of the following three programs, and meet the additional eligibility criteria:
Note: Child Care Fee Subsidy clients who are also OW or ODSP clients must meet eligibility criteria under that respective client category (must not be receiving employment or medical transportation supports equal to or greater than $100 in the current month)
City of Toronto residents can apply online or by phone with the Application & Support Centre at 416-338-8888, select option 6.
If you apply online: City of Toronto staff will assess for your eligibility, and you will receive an email notification regarding the outcome of that assessment. You must have your PRESTO card number, email address, and your Member or Household ID (from OW, ODSP, or Children’s Services) ready to complete the application.
If you apply by phone: City of Toronto staff will assess for your eligibility, and inform you of the outcome of that assessment over the phone. You must have a PRESTO card number ready to complete the application.
Clients unable to purchase a PRESTO card from Metrolinx can get a free PRESTO card while quantities last from Toronto Public Library’s Complimentary PRESTO card initiative.
PRESTO cards must be activated before a Fair Pass discount can be successfully applied to the card. You can activate your card online, or through PRESTO’s Chat feature, or by calling PRESTO at 1-877-378-6123 and following the automated instructions. It can take up to 24 hours to process your activation. During this time you won’t be able to use your card. After waiting 24 hours, you must tap on a PRESTO device within 30 days of activating to complete the activation process.
If you are unable to complete the Fair Pass application online or by phone, you can request for a paper application to be mailed to you by contacting the Application & Support Centre.
A renewal is required after 12 consecutive months of receiving the Fair Pass discount on your PRESTO card.
You do not need to submit a new application or consent form to renew your discount. Before your Fair Pass discount expires, your eligibility for renewal will be assessed, and a new Fair Pass discount will be applied to your PRESTO card as long as you still meet the program’s eligibility criteria. Once a new discount has been applied to your PRESTO card, you will receive an email notification (if you have provided your most updated email). After 24 hours of receiving that notification, but within 30 days, you must tap your card at any TTC PRESTO card reader to complete the renewal process.
To support the renewal process, please ensure the Application & Support Centre has your most updated PRESTO card number, and email address, by calling 416-338-8888, select option 6.
If you are a registered PRESTO cardholder, you can confirm your discount expiration date by logging into your My PRESTO account.
You must load money or an adult TTC Monthly Pass onto your PRESTO card. The Fair Pass discount will reduce the amount charged per ride, or the cost of the TTC Monthly Pass purchased onto your PRESTO card. The PRESTO card is not transferable and is intended for the approved Fair Pass discount cardholder only.
You will receive an email notification once the Fair Pass discount is applied to your PRESTO card. You will need to tap your card on a PRESTO device to activate the discount after 24 hours, but within 30 days. If you purchase an adult TTC monthly pass on your PRESTO card, the discount will be applied at the point of purchase for unlimited travel for the month. You will still need to tap your card on a PRESTO device instead of showing it to a collector or TTC operator.
If you encounter a problem or have a question about the discount, please contact the Application & Support Centre.
You can load funds on your PRESTO card online at www.prestocard.ca, by calling the PRESTO Contact Centre at 1-877-378-6123, using PRESTO self-service machines at any TTC subway station or by visiting any Shoppers Drug Mart location.
You can purchase monthly passes online at www.prestocard.ca, from PRESTO Fare Vending Machines at TTC subway stations or at any Shoppers Drug Mart location.
You can use the PRESTO card to take trips on other (non-TTC) transit systems (e.g., GO Transit, UP Express), however the Fair Pass discount will not be applied to the fare for other transit systems. The savings will only be applied to TTC fares.
If you have replaced your PRESTO card, you must contact the Application & Support Centre to advise staff of your new PRESTO card number. This ensures that your discount can be correctly renewed in the future.