Providing Accessible Transit Here (PATH)

The Providing Accessible Transit Here (PATH) program works with agencies to provide free transit to vulnerable Edmontonians who are not eligible through other programs.

Sponsored and convened by the City of Edmonton and provided through various social agencies, PATH gives vulnerable Edmontonians a free pre-loaded Arc card with a monthly period pass. This helps them to attend school and seek work and housing, as well as medical and other social services.

The program is relationship-based. Agencies regularly collaborate with the City and partnering organizations. Staff working at the distribution agencies work closely with individuals to determine eligibility.

Who the Program is For

The free monthly pre-loaded Arc card is intended specifically for people who are highly vulnerable and not eligible for free transit through Human Services or another program — for example: school or a social worker.

PATH is different from the Transit Access Grant (TAG) program, which offers Arc tickets to adults and youth who are in crisis situations on a short-term basis. Arc tickets allow an individual to travel for 90-minutes to access public transportation for job interviews, medical appointments and other services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Program Needed?

The City of Edmonton is committed to breaking the unintentional consequences of poverty. PATH aligns with the priority under End Poverty Edmonton that states in order to move people out of poverty, making transit reliable, accessible and affordable for Edmontonians is critical. Citizens can get to and from work, shop for basic needs, attend to health needs and participate in community life.

How Many People Have Received Fare Products Through PATH?

In early January, designated local social agencies began distributing up to 600 transit fare products to eligible adults and youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

What is Social Return On Investment?

Social Return on Investment (SROI) is a methodology that accounts for the social value created by the program, calculating the value of the social returns for every dollar invested in the program.

The SROI was calculated for the Youth Transit Access Project as follows: for every $1 invested in this project, $1.92 was created in social investment. This means that the program “paid for itself” in 3.1 months through avoided enforcement programs and associated court and administrative costs.

How is it Decided Which Agencies Get to Hand Out Passes?

The original five agencies were youth-serving agencies that wanted to address the impact of fare evasion tickets for youth in high-risk situations. When the program expanded to adults, the City of Edmonton invited agencies which offered drop-in day shelter services to adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in different geographical locations.

How Does PATH Differ to the Ride Transit Program?

While both programs aim to improve access to transit, PATH specifically targets vulnerable individuals who are homeless or who are at high risk of becoming homeless. The PATH Program is administered with the support of social service agencies in Edmonton.

The Ride Transit Program offers a reduced-cost Arc card to eligible low-income Edmontonians.

If I am in the Ride Transit Program, Can I Qualify for PATH?

No. Each program has its own eligibility criteria. The overall goal of Ride Transit Program and PATH is to identify and allocate passes based on need.

Program History

In 2016, PATH evolved out of the Youth Transit Access Project. The City of Edmonton, MAPS Alberta, the High Risk Youth Initiative with the Government of Alberta and 5 youth-serving agencies (Boyle Street Education Centre, iHuman Youth Services, Native Counselling Services of Alberta, Old Strathcona Youth Society and Youth Empowerment Support Services) worked together to distribute 100 monthly youth transit passes. The project was successful and it expanded in November 2016 to include vulnerable youth and adults.

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Providing Accessible Transit Here (PATH)

Who the Program is For

Lost or Stolen Arc Card

Distribution Agencies

Frequently Asked Questions

Program History

Contact Us

Program Coordinator

Providing Accessible Transit Here (PATH)

Who the Program is For

Lost or Stolen Arc Card

Frequently Asked Questions

Program History

Related Links

Ride Transit Program

Transit Access Grant (TAG)

Contact Us

Program Coordinator