Bus fares going up after revenue and riders drop 13 per cent in Brampton

Brampton Transit tickets are going to get more expensive as the city aims to maintain service on all routes amid a slump in ridership numbers and revenues.

The City of Brampton has released its proposed budget for 2026, which includes a proposed property tax increase of 1.5 per cent or around $111 on the average residential tax bill in 2026.

The budget also includes the first planned increase to Brampton Transit fares since 2023, with a 5 per cent increase proposed, according to a city report.

That would bring the total cost for a cash fare on Brampton Transit up to around $4.72 from the current $4.50 rate. Staff say the proposed fare increase is in line with inflation since the last fare increase in May 2023.

In an update on Monday, city staff said Brampton Transit ridership dropped by 13 per cent in 2025. The goal this year is to “stabilize transit service to match Brampton’s ridership,” staff said.

And, despite a corresponding drop in revenue, staff said that all Brampton Transit routes will be maintained in 2026, with changes to make routes more efficient.

The total operating budget is $245.7 million, with $117.6 million coming from property taxes.

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Revenues from Brampton Transit, which had seen an approximately 40 per cent increase in riders since the COVID-19 pandemic, dropped around 20 per cent in 2025 due to Ottawa’s cap on international students, and economic challenges like international trade, and Ontario’s housing rules changes.

The city projected a year-end Brampton Transit operating deficit of $17.5 million in 2025, with the reduced revenue “primarily driven” by federal immigration policy changes, according to a city report.

The city is also pushing ahead with its plans to electrify Brampton Transit, and has a proposed capital budget of $142.9 million for Brampton Transit this year. That includes $29 million for refurbishment of existing buses and $91 million for 44 new battery electric buses coming in 2027-2028.

During Monday’s budget meeting, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown called transit “the most challenging of the departmental presentations” in the 2026 budget.

Other city departments that were projected to run deficits in 2025 included Legislative Services ($2.1 million), Corporate Support Services ($1.1 million), and Recreation ($0.7 million). But there are also departmental surpluses, like Corporate Support Services ($1.1 million) and the Chief Administrative Officer’s office ($1.5 million).

If the city’s proposed 1.5 per cent city increase is approved as is, the average Brampton homeowner can expect a $324 property tax increase this year.

This year marks the third City of Brampton budget under the “strong mayor” powers granted by the provincial government. Budget deliberations continue on Tuesday.