Fare changes are coming July 1

Fare changes help cover the rising operating costs due to high inflation and help support the cost of delivering service to the Region. Over the next several years, transit will continue to make investments in the following initiatives to improve service for travellers:

• Purchasing additional electric buses with support from the federal Zero-Emission Transit Fund
• Increasing frequency on high-demand routes as part of the Frequent Transit Network which is a transit network that typically operates at frequencies of 15 minutes or better 
• Expanding On-Request transit service in low-demand areas of the Region
• Providing reliable, on-time transit service

YRT conducts an annual fare review as part of the planning and budget process. The fare review ensures balanced costs between riders and taxpayers and considers several factors including:

• The price of fuel
• Operating and insurance costs
• Consistency with other GTA transit system fares
• Cost recovery targets
• Supporting ongoing growth and YRT service improvements

The fare increase was approved by York Regional Council in November 2024.

There are several transit discount and fare assistance programs that you may be able to take advantage of:

1. Discounts with PRESTO: Reduced YRT fares are offered through the PRESTO card, PRESTO E-Tickets and PRESTO in Google Wallet, with discounts up to 43% on cash fare. There are also discounted rates for seniors, youth and children; children five years and under always ride free
2. Ride to GO: Ride to GO lets customers travel on YRT for free when showing proof-of-payment for a trip on GO Transit. Ride to GO is available on any YRT and TTC route in York Region travelling to or from GO Transit services. You must use a PRESTO card, PRESTO in Google Wallet, credit or debit card on a PRESTO device, and have valid GO Transit fare. Learn more about Ride to GO.
3. Transit Assistance Program (TAP): If you need assistance covering the cost of your fare, you may be eligible for TAP. Eligible residents can receive a 50% discount on regular adult single ride PRESTO fare. After 40 trips your rides will be free for unlimited travel for the remainder of the calendar month. Learn more about the Transit Assistance Program.
4. Fare Capping Program: The YRT Fare Capping Program can help make taking transit more affordable for frequent riders. When you use your PRESTO card, you only pay for a certain number of rides in a calendar month, the rest are free until the month is over! Learn more about the Fare Capping Program.
5. One Fare Program: Ontario’s One Fare Program helps to reduce travel costs when travelling between different transit systems. Customers can transfer for free when connecting to and from the TTC and YRT, using a PRESTO, credit or debit card on a PRESTO device. Learn more about the One Fare Program.

There will not be any changes to the Fare Capping program at this time. Since the Fare Capping program was introduced in January 2024, staff have been analyzing the data collected and are planning adjustments to the fare caps to further assist with transit affordability. 

What is Fare Capping?

Each time you pay a YRT fare with your PRESTO card, it will track the number of trips. It will automatically stop charging you a fare after you’ve reached the trip caps below:

YRT reviews operating costs for all services during all times and makes changes to the YRT system to better match capacity with demand. YRT also continues to explore non-passenger and other revenue opportunities. 

Over the next several years, YRT will continue to make investments to improve service for travellers, including: 

• Purchasing additional electric buses with support from the federal Zero-Emission Transit Fund 
• Increasing frequency on high-demand routes as part of the Frequent Transit Network
• Expanding On-Request transit service in low-demand areas of the Region 
• Providing reliable, on-time transit service 
• Introducing a new, overnight network   

The majority of YRT transit costs are paid for by York Region taxpayers. YRT aims to have approximately 60% of transit costs subsidized by York Region taxpayers and senior government funding, and 40% subsidized by fares; currently, YRT is below the 40% we aim to achieve but we are working towards meeting that goal. Increasing fares will help to achieve a better balance between taxpayers and riders.   

It’s hard to compare fares between the two transit systems because they service vastly different populations and geographic areas. York Region covers a larger geographical area and has a smaller ridership than the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). As a result, the Region requires more support from taxpayers to provide service to all areas of the Region and support the growing ridership. The TTC is able to cover a larger portion of the costs through fares compared to YRT.  

As a transit system servicing a large geographical area, significant transit investment is required to support growing ridership in one of Ontario’s fastest growing regions.