Arc for the Ride Transit Program

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Ride Transit Program participants can tap on and off transit using an Arc card beginning August 1, 2024.

Starting August 1, 2024, Ride Transit Program participants can begin to tap on and off ETS using Arc. To get your Ride Transit fare with Arc, you will need to use an Arc card and set up an Arc account with the Ride Transit fare profile.

Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) is committed to supporting Ride Transit Program participants as they switch from using paper Ride Transit passes to Arc.

We will provide support for Ride Transit Program participants by offering:

An Arc information package, including one free Arc card and instructions for creating an Arc account with the Ride Transit fare profile
Drop-in sessions at select City recreation centres and the Edmonton Service Centre for in-person support

Need help with Arc? Contact us at ridetransitarc@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8321

Where to Get Your Arc Information Package

Learn more about Arc and get your free Arc card.

Pick-up Option

Arc information packages are available for pickup at:

Clareview Community Recreation Centre (3804 139 Avenue NW)
Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre (11000 Stadium Road NW)
Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre (2051 Leger Road NW)
The Meadows Community Recreation Centre (2704 17 Street NW)
Edmonton Service Centre (10111 104 Avenue NW, 2nd Floor)

By Mail Option

To request your Arc information package by mail, please do ONE of the following:

Complete the Arc for Ride Transit: Mail Opt-in Form
Call ETS Customer Programs at 780-496-8321

It may take up to 10 business days for processing and delivery.

Arc Drop in Sessions

Get help with Arc from ETS staff.

ETS staff will be available in-person to answer your questions and help you set up your Arc account on the spot. Drop-in sessions do not require appointments.

Additional drop in sessions for August, September, October and November will be added to the schedule as they are confirmed.

Clareview Community Recreation Centre

Sunday, July 28	11am - 7pm
Tuesday, July 30	11am - 7pm
Wednesday, July 31	11am - 7pm
Thursday, August 1	11am - 7pm
Friday, August 2	12am - 8pm
Saturday, August 3	11am - 7pm

Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre

Sunday, July 28	No drop in session is scheduled. The rec centre will be open to the public.
Tuesday, July 30	11am - 7pm
Wednesday, July 31	11am - 7pm
Thursday, August 1	11am - 7pm
Friday, August 2	12am - 8pm
Saturday, August 3	11am - 7pm

The Meadows Community Recreation Centre

Sunday, July 28	11am - 7pm
Tuesday, July 30	11am - 7pm
Wednesday, July 31	11am - 7pm
Thursday, August 1	11am - 7pm
Friday, August 2	12am - 8pm
Saturday, August 3	11am - 7pm

Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre

Sunday, July 28	11am - 7pm
Tuesday, July 30	11am - 7pm
Wednesday, July 31	11am - 7pm
Thursday, August 1	11am - 7pm
Friday, August 2	12am - 8pm
Saturday, August 3	11am - 7pm

Edmonton Service Centre (ESC)

Sunday, July 28	Edmonton Service Centre Closed
Tuesday, July 30	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday, July 31	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday, August 1	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday, August 2	8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday, August 3	Edmonton Service Centre Closed

How to Set Up Your Arc Account on myArc.ca

For Individuals

To get the Ride Transit fare with Arc, you will need to use an Arc card and set up an Arc account with the Ride Transit fare profile. Once your account is set up, you can add money to your account and start using Arc.

Follow the steps below to create your Arc account and add money online at myArc.ca.

If you already have a registered Arc card, you can skip to step 2.

Step 1: Create your account and register your Arc card

Visit myArc.ca, go to “Arc® Card” in the menu, and click “Register Account.”
In your package, you received a free Arc card. Enter the account number on the back of the card and the three-digit code on the front.
Fill in the required information and click the ‘Create Account’ button.
You will receive an account activation email from noreply@myarc.ca.
- Check your email to locate the activation email and click on the link.
- If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk mail folder.
On the “Create Account” page, set your password.
Your Arc account and Arc card are now activated.

Step 2: Add the Ride Transit fare profile to your Arc card

Log in to your Arc account
Select “My Account” from the top menu.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Apply for Concession” button.
Select your Arc card. Click continue.
Select the fare profile you are eligible for :
- ETS Ride Transit Basic/Plus - $35
- ETS Ride Transit Lite - $50
Enter your first name, last name, date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD), and the activation code.
- If you do not have an activation code, contact us at ridetransitarc@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8321.
Click submit.
You will receive an email notifying you that the Ride Transit fare profile has been added to your Arc card 24-72 hours after you click submit.
- If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk mail folder or contact the Arc call centre at
  1-888-302-0001.

TIP: If you pay for transit with your Arc card before you get your email confirmation, the fare you paid will not contribute to your monthly Ride Transit fare cap.

We suggest you wait to use your Arc card after you receive the confirmation email, or preferably at the start of the following month, to get the full Ride Transit fare cap benefit.

Step 3: Add funds to your Arc account

There are various ways you can add money to your Arc account.

Online at myArc.ca

Log in to your Arc account.
On the “myArc” page, scroll down to your Arc card and click “reload” next to the balance to load funds.
Enter the amount you would like to load. You can add as little as $4 or as much as you like. Click submit.
Add your payment method and billing address, then click submit.

In Person at an Arc Retail Outlet

Arc cards can be purchased and money can be added to Arc accounts at select gas stations and convenience stores throughout Edmonton.
You cannot register your Arc account at these locations. To register, go online at myArc.ca, call the Arc call centre, or visit a regional in-person service centre (e.g., Edmonton Service Centre).

List of participating Arc retail locations

Map of Retail Locations

In Person at an Arc Vending Machine

Tap your Arc card on the designated area of the vending machine.
Select load or reload your card.
Choose the amount you wish to add to your account.
Pay using your preferred method: debit, credit, or cash (at select machines).

Arc vending machine locations

By Phone

Arc cards can be purchased and money can be added to Arc accounts by calling the Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001 (toll free).

Note: Arc accepts Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Mastercard Debit, or American Express for payment online. You can also pay using credit cards, debit cards or cash at the Arc vending machines, participating Arc retailers, or the Edmonton Service Centre.

For Households

Arc offers a convenient way to manage your household members’ Arc cards. If you currently purchase ETS fare products, including Ride Transit monthly paper passes, for your household, please use these instructions to set up Ride Transit fares and add money onto Arc cards for your household members.

What you need to know

Each member of your household participating in the Ride Transit Program will receive a free Arc card with their Arc information package.
A single person can manage multiple Arc cards using one Arc account.
The Ride Transit fare profile (outlined in Step 2 below) must be added to each household member’s Arc card to get the Ride Transit fare with Arc.

If you are the primary account holder and do not have an active Arc account, start at Step 1.

If you are the primary account holder and have an active Arc account, jump to Step 2.

Step 1: Create your account and register your first Arc card

Visit myArc.ca, go to “Arc® Card” in the menu, and click “Register Account.”
In your package, you received a free Arc card. Enter the account number on the back of the card and the three-digit code on the front.
Fill in the required information and click the ‘Create Account’ button.
You will receive an account activation email from noreply@myarc.ca.
- Check your email to locate the activation email and click on the link.
- If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk mail folder or contact the Arc call centre at
  1-888-302-0001.
On the “Create Account” page, set your password.
Your Arc account and Arc card are now activated.

Step 2: Add a household member’s Arc card to your account

Log into your myArc.ca account.
Click "My Arc®” in the upper right corner of the page.
Select "Add/Enter New Card".
Choose "Someone else (Create new person under my account)". Click “Continue”.
Enter the card account number, card security code, and card nickname for the new Arc card.
- The Card Nickname field is optional but will help differentiate between the different cards.
Complete the remaining information on the page and select "Submit".
You will receive an email notifying you that the Ride Transit fare profile has been added to the Arc card(s) 24-72 hours after you click submit.
- If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk mail folder or contact the Arc call centre at
  1-888-302-0001.

Repeat ‘Step 2’ for each household member as needed.

Step 3: Add the Ride Transit fare profile to the Arc card(s)

Log into your myArc.ca account.
Click "My Arc®" in the upper right corner of the page.
Select the Arc card you would like to apply for the Ride Transit Concession.
Click the "Apply for Concession" button.
Confirm the Arc card you wish to apply the Ride Transit Concession to.
Select the Ride Transit fare profile to connect with the Arc card:
- ETS Ride Transit Basic/Plus - $35
- ETS Ride Transit Lite - $50
Enter your household member's first name, last name, date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD), and the activation code provided in the Arc information package. Incorrect information may result in the Ride Transit profile being rejected from the card.
- If you do not have an activation code, contact us at ridetransitarc@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8321.
Click submit.
You will receive an email notifying you that the Ride Transit fare profile has been added to the Arc card(s) 24-72 hours after you click submit.
- If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk mail folder or contact the Arc call centre at
  1-888-302-0001.

TIP: If you or your household pay for transit with your Arc card(s) before you get your email confirmation, the fare you paid will not contribute to your monthly Ride Transit fare cap(s).

We suggest that you or your household members wait to use your Arc card(s) after you receive the confirmation email, or preferably at the start of the following month, to get the full Ride Transit fare cap benefit.

Repeat ‘Step 3’ for each household members as needed.

Step 4: Add funds to your Arc account

You will need to add money to each Arc card managed under the primary account. There are multiple ways you can add money to Arc cards.

Online at myArc.ca

Log in to your Arc account.
On the “myArc” page, scroll down to the Arc card you want to add money to and click “reload” next to the balance remaining on the card.
Enter the amount you would like to load. You can add as little as $4 or as much as you like. Click “Submit”.
Add your payment method and billing address, then click “Submit”.

In Person at an Arc Retail Outlet

Arc cards can be purchased and money can be added to Arc accounts at select gas stations and convenience stores throughout Edmonton.
You cannot register your Arc account at these locations. To register, go online at myArc.ca, call the Arc call centre, or visit a regional in-person service centre (e.g., Edmonton Service Centre).

List of participating Arc retail locations

Participating Locations Map

In Person at an Arc Vending Machine

Tap your Arc card on the designated area of the vending machine.
Select load or reload your card.
Choose the amount you wish to add to your account.
Pay using your preferred method: debit, credit, or cash (at select machines).

For Arc vending machine locations

Over the Phone

Arc cards can be purchased and funds loaded by calling the toll-free, secure, Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001.

Repeat ‘Step 4’ for additional household members as needed.

Note: Arc accepts Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Mastercard Debit, or American Express for payment online. You can also use credit, debit or cash at an Arc vending machine, participating Arc retailers, or at the Edmonton Service Centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I have to start using Arc?

While we encourage you to use Arc when it becomes available, we understand not everyone can switch immediately from paper Ride Transit passes to Arc. Therefore, Ride Transit monthly passes will continue to be sold for the next few months, giving you time to make the transition.

Details about the phase-out of all ETS paper fare products will be shared with ETS riders once we confirm the timelines.

Will Arc cost me more than what I currently pay for a monthly Ride transit pass?

The cost of your monthly Ride Transit fare cap ($35 or $50, depending on eligibility) is the same as the price of your monthly Ride Transit paper pass. If you travel only on ETS throughout the entire month, you will not pay more than the cost of a monthly Ride Transit pass.

If you travel on a different transit agency bus, for example, Strathcona County Transit or St. Albert Transit, before you reach your Ride Transit fare cap, you will pay more. The fare you pay on the Strathcona County or St. Albert bus will contribute to that municipality’s fare cap, not the Ride Transit fare cap. Once you reach your Ride Transit fare cap on ETS, you can ride on all regional buses for free.

To reach your Ride Transit monthly fare cap, you must only travel on ETS.

Can I use cash to add money to my Arc account?

Yes. Arc cards can be loaded with cash at Arc vending machines, participating Arc retailers or the Edmonton Service Centre. See “Step 3: Add funds to your Arc account” above for more information.

Arc vending machine locations and participating retailers

ETS Sales Outlet

Does Arc change my eligibility for the Ride Transit Program?

No. Arc is a way for transit riders to pay their fares. Arc does not change your eligibility for the Ride Transit Program. It also does not impact the application process or when your Ride Transit eligibility expires.

I already use an Arc card. Can I continue using that one?

Yes. If you already use an Arc card, you can add the Ride Transit fare profile to that card. To add the Ride Transit fare profile, you will need the following information:

The fare profile you are eligible for - ETS Ride Transit Basic/Plus ($35) or ETS Ride Transit Lite ($50)
The Activation Code (provided in your Arc information package)

How do I get the activation code?

To get the activation code, you can email us at ridetransitarc@edmonton.ca or call 780-496-8321. You can also visit one of the following City facilities:

Clareview Community Recreation Centre (3804 139 Avenue NW)
Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre (11000 Stadium Rd NW)
Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre (2051 Leger Road NW)
The Meadows Community Recreation Centre (2704 17 Street NW)
Edmonton Service Centre (10111 104 Ave NW 2nd Floor)

Please note you will need to apply for the Ride Transit Program to get the discounted Ride Transit monthly fare.

Do I need to reapply the Ride Transit fare profile to my Arc card each month?

No. Once you apply the Ride Transit fare product to your Arc card, it will remain on your card until your eligibility in the Ride Transit Program expires.

Contact Us

For questions about the Arc for the Ride Transit Program and for help with setting up an Arc account, please contact:

Title	ETS Customer Programs
Email	ridetransitarc@edmonton.ca
Phone	780-496-8321

Arc for the Ride Transit Program

Pick-up Option

By Mail Option

Arc Drop in Sessions

For Individuals

For Households

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Links

myArc.ca

Introducing Arc, the new way to pay for transit - video

Related Documents

Arc for Ride Transit Program Info Guide

Contact Us