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The Ride Transit Program provides greater access to transit for individuals and families in Edmonton. Through a partnership with the Government of Alberta, this program offers a reduced-cost Arc card to eligible low-income Edmontonians.
If you are a first-time applicant, please visit New Applications for more information.
If you are a low income student and are applying for short-term Ride Transit eligibility between semesters, please visit Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass).
Please note that Ride Transit Arc cards are non-transferable and intended for use only by the eligible Ride Transit participant.
Due to high demand, please book an appointment. The average wait time for walk-ins could be longer than expected. We will do our best to ensure we can support customers within regular business hours. However, we may not be able to serve everyone due to wait times.
With Arc, instead of paying a monthly rate upfront, participants pay for transit as they use it. You can load as little as $4 or as much you need.
Once you reach a daily cap ($10.50) or the monthly Ride Transit fare cap ($36 or $51, depending on your eligibility), you can ride transit for free for the rest of that day or month.
To pay your fare with Arc, participants will need an Arc card and an Arc account with a Ride Transit fare profile.
Arc is convenient. You can add funds to your Arc account online at myArc.ca, at an Arc vending machine, at a participating Arc retailer, at the Edmonton Service Centre, or by calling the Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001.
Need help with Arc? Contact the Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001 or email Arc through their contact form. Questions about the Ride Transit program? Call 311.
How to Apply to the Ride Transit Program - Flowchart (8.5 x 11" Printable)
How to Apply to the Ride Transit Program - Flowchart (11 x 17" Printable)
If you do not have an existing membership in the Leisure Access Program or the Ride Transit Program, fill out the Application Form .
The approval processing time depends on the varying number of applications received each day, but typical wait times are approximately 8-12 weeks. Once your application is processed, you will be sent a letter in the mail to the address listed on your application. This letter will detail all of your benefits and how to access them.
Conditional approval of the Ride Transit Program is only offered at the Edmonton Service Centre. Conditional approvals are offered only at the time of completed application submission. The completed application:
For more information on applying for these programs (even if you are only interested in the Ride Transit Program), please visit the Leisure Access Program page. All applicants who apply for the Leisure Access or Ride Transit programs are automatically assessed for both programs.
Completed applications can be sent by mail:
Leisure Access & Ride Transit Program
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, AB, T5J 2R7
Faxed or e-mailed forms are not accepted. In-person submissions are allowed, but applications cannot be reviewed immediately.
The fastest way to have your completed application reviewed is by dropping off your application at Edmonton Tower, 2nd floor, mail slot near the ETS Lost and Found:
Edmonton Tower, 2nd Floor
10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB, T5J 0J4
There are 2 ways to get your free Arc card and Ride Transit information package:
It may take up to 10 business days for processing and delivery.
Completed applications can be sent by mail:
Leisure Access & Ride Transit Program
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, AB, T5J 2R7
Faxed or e-mailed forms are not accepted. In-person submissions are allowed, but applications cannot be reviewed immediately.
The fastest way to have your completed application reviewed is by dropping off your application at a Recreation Centre, Attraction, or at the Edmonton Service Centre, 2nd floor, mail slot near the ETS Lost and Found at the Edmonton Tower.
Please be advised that you will need to wait for your application to be processed. Due to the number of applications, this may take 6-12 weeks.
The Ride Transit Program and the Leisure Access Program use the Canada Revenue Agency’s Annual Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) figures to assess applicants.
If your total household income (up to 2 married or common-law partners and your dependent children aged 17 and under) is at or less than the low-income cutoffs (LICO) figures + 10%, you will qualify for a $36 monthly Arc card. You may also qualify for a $36 monthly Arc card if you meet 1 or more of the following eligibility criteria:
If your household income is between 10% and 25% above the LICO figures, you may qualify for a $51 monthly Arc card.
Leisure Access and Ride Transit Program
| People in Household | Household Income ($36 monthly cap) | Household Income ($51 monthly cap) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $35,097 | $35,098 - $39,883 |
| 2 | $43,693 | $43,594 - $49,651 |
| 3 | $53,715 | $53,716 - $61,040 |
| 4 | $65,217 | $65,218 - $74,110 |
| 5 | $73,968 | $73,969 - $84,055 |
| 6 | $83,423 | $83,424 - $94,799 |
| 7 | $92,880 | $92,881 - $105,545 |
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.
There are various ways you can add money to your Arc account.
Online at myArc.ca
In Person at an Arc Retail Outlet
List of participating Arc retail locations
In Person at an Arc Vending Machine
By Phone
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.
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
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.
Repeat ‘Step 2’ for each household member as needed.
Repeat ‘Step 3’ for each household member as needed.
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
In Person at an Arc Retail Outlet
List of participating Arc retail locations
In Person at an Arc Vending Machine
For Arc vending machine locations
Over the Phone
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.
The application and renewal process is the same and you will automatically be considered for both programs. Please note that even if you qualify for LAP, you are not eligible for the Ride Transit Program if you are:
Residents who want to apply for the Leisure Access Pass or ETS Ride Transit Program can apply for both programs with one application.
It is optional for participants to use the recreation facilities and attractions offered by joining the programs. There is no charge for the Leisure Access membership. Ride Transit and Leisure Access are 2 separate programs that share the same application process. Together, they offer eligible Edmontonians a range of benefits.
Please note that your Leisure Access membership card or government-issued photo ID is required to purchase a reduced-rate Arc card of $36 or $51, effective as of February 1, 2025 and your recreation membership card is the best ID to use.
Newcomers to Canada can provide a copy of confirmation of Permanent Residence or Refugee protection claimant document as long as arrival dates are within 1 year for each person applying.
The monthly Ride Transit fare cap (*$35 or $50, depending on eligibility) is the same as the price of the monthly Ride Transit paper pass, which was discontinued in fall 2024.
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.
Only trips on ETS contribute to your Ride Transit monthly fare cap.
*36 or $51 effective February 1, 2025
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.
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.
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:
When applying to add the Ride Transit fare concession to your Arc card, the activation code is 333862. Please note that all applications are screened for eligibility in the Ride Transit program.
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.
Arc uses fare caps to ensure riders do not pay extra fees.
A trip with ETS currently costs $3 and covers 90 minutes of travel, including transfers. As an ETS rider, once you pay $10.25 in fare in a single day, you ride free for the rest of the day.
Ride Transit Program participants also have a monthly fare cap of $36 or $51, depending on each participant's eligibility. Once you pay a total of $36 or $51 in fare in a single calendar month, you ride free for the rest of the month.
If you do not reach your fare cap within the month, you only pay for the trips you have taken.
You can get a free Arc card two ways: by picking it up or requesting one by mail.