Prices go up on Brampton Transit to cover rising costs

Brampton | Caledon | Latest News |

By

Published May 2, 2023 at 9:33 am

It costs a little more to ride Brampton Transit now that fares have gone up for nearly all riders across the city.

As of Monday (May 1), the universal cash fare flat rate went up from $4.00 to $4.50, while Presto e-Purse trips increased to $3.40 from $3.10. Weekly Presto passes for adults have also gone to $37.50, and monthly child passes are up to $141.25 per month from $128.00.

The increase in fares was approved in the City’s 2023 budget and has also raised the price of youth and senior fare.

Teens between 13 and 19 years old will have to pay $2.80 pre-trip while the price of a senior’s fare will go up to $1.75 from $1.60. The increase will not apply to fares for children under 12 or seniors who are Brampton residents.

The City is continuing with its free seniors’ fare program, meaning Brampton seniors over the age of 65 with a Brampton Senior ID may be eligible for a free transit pass.

Here are all the fee changes:

The fares for children between 6 and 12 years old will stay the same at $2.00 per Presto e-Purse ride, $22.00 for a weekly pass and $84.00 for a monthly pass.

Brampton froze fares and deferred a planned fare change in 2020 as Brampton Transit saw a decline in ridership during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the City says riders have since returned with some 15 per cent more people now using the system than before the pandemic. And while the City says the large return of ridership is a good sign it also puts increased pressure on the transit system.

The City said Brampton Transit is “facing financial pressures” including inflation in labour, fuel, vehicle repairs, and demand for enhancements to transit service. The fare increase aims to offset costs and “balance user fees with municipal investments” by bringing in an extra $5.3 million in net revenues for 2023, the City said in a release.

For more information on fare changes and route schedules visit the Brampton Transit home page.

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising