Low Income Transit Pass
The City of Winnipeg is now accepting applications for the WINNpass, its new low income transit pass program.
The WINNpass allows eligible residents of Winnipeg will be able to purchase adult monthly transit passes at a reduced rate.
To find out more about who is eligible for the WINNpass and how to apply, visit Winnipeg Transit’s WINNpass page:
- Timeline
- Updates
- Engage
- Background
- Documents
- FAQs
- Related Links
Project Timeline
Updates
May 1, 2020 Applications are now being accepted for a new program that provides discounted adult monthly transit passes to eligible families in the City of Winnipeg. Approved WINNpass applicants are able to load it with an adult monthly pass that costs 30 per cent less than a full fare pass.
Winnipeg City Council voted to bring in a low-income transit program in fall of 2019 and Winnipeg Transit partnered with organizations that serve families to bring it to fruition. Future phases of the program rollout will see drop off points for applications installed at locations in the community, including Winnipeg Harvest and all ACCESS centres in Winnipeg.
The program is currently accepting applications by mail, fax, and online.
The phased-in WINNpass discount will grow to 40 per cent in May 2021, 50 per cent in May 2022.
Winnipeg residents between the ages of 18 and 64 who meet one of the following criteria may qualify for the WINNpass program:
- You are part of a household with income less than the Low Income Cut Off (LICO)
- You are receiving Employment Income Assistance
- You are a new permanent resident or a refugee who has been in Canada for less than a year and has not yet filed a tax return.
Other adult household members may also be eligible for the discount, such as the partner or spouse of the applicant.
April 1, 2020 – Due to impacts from the necessary response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new program to provide adult monthly transit passes at a reduced rate to eligible families in the City of Winnipeg has been put on hold.
With Winnipeg Transit Customer Service Centres closed and distancing measures in place, it would not have been feasible to implement the new program at the current time.
Winnipeg Transit will begin accepting applications for the low income pass program on May 1, 2020. The pass will become available to approved applicants when Customer Service Centres reopen.
The low income transit pass program was the result of extensive study, planning and public engagement. It was approved by Winnipeg City Council in fall of 2019 and was initially scheduled to launch April 1.
In-person customer service is necessary for the delivery of the program and ensures accessibility.
Winnipeg Transit is committed to implementing the program as soon as it is able, recognizing the value of a program for low-income families in a time of great economic uncertainty.
When launched, the low income transit program will allow eligible residents to purchase an adult monthly pass that costs 30 per cent less than a full fare pass.
In spite of the late start, the dates when the discount will increase have not changed: It will grow to 40 per cent in May 2021, and 50 per cent in May 2020.
September 2019 - A summary of feedback received through our stakeholder survey is now available. A report to the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works (SPC – IRPW) on Tuesday, October 1 included a summary of feedback received, as well as further details on program implementation. Please see the ‘Engage’ tab for further details.
June 2019 - The City is currently collecting stakeholder feedback on the implementation of a low income transit pass to help ensure the program is a success, and that it is available to all intended users.
Stay up-to-date on the Low Income Transit Pass project by signing up for updates: WINNpass@winnipeg.ca.
Engage
A summary of feedback received through our stakeholder survey is now available online. The survey was promoted through various agencies and community organizations from June 20 to July 10, 2019.
Feedback collected through this survey was included in a report to the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works when the report was brought forward on Tuesday, October 1. The meeting agenda is available online.
Once the low income transit pass is introduced, the City will be consulting with those who are using it to gather their feedback and improve implementation over time. The goal is to better understand the user experience and learn how the program could be improved.
If you would like to stay updated on City of Winnipeg public engagement events, follow the City on Facebook or Twitter.
Background
In November 2018, the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works approved that the options to phase in the Low Income Transit Pass be referred to the 2019 budget process for review. This included developing administrative processes for the program in consultation with community stakeholders, discussions with the Province of Manitoba to determine if there is a willingness to partner administratively and/or financially on a low income transit pass, and a report on the final implementation plan.
In March 2019, Council approved the establishment of a Low Income Transit Pass Program effective April 1, 2020 with discounted fares starting at 30 per cent (of the full adult monthly fare) on the date of implementation, 40 per cent in 2021, and 50 per cent in 2022.
In preparation for the launch of the program, the City conducted a stakeholder survey from June 20 to July 10, 2019, to better understand community concerns and opportunities related to the pass. The project team has also been working with stakeholders to refine the application process and materials throughout the year, and will be engaging with users during the first year of implementation to better understand the user experience and learn how the program could be improved. Please see the ‘Engage’ tab for further details.
Due to the response to COVID-19, the April 2020 launch of the low income transit pass program has been postponed untiwas postponed.
It began accepting applications May 1 and the pass will be available for pickup once all Winnipeg Transit Customer Service Centres reopen.
Documents
| Document Name | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Public Engagement Summary | October 22, 2019 | PE Summary |
| Appendix A - Low Income Transit Pass Survey Responses | October 22, 2019 | Appendix A |
| Appendix B - Low Income Transit Pass Survey Responses | October 22, 2019 | Appendix B |
| Appendix C - Open-ended Response Analysis | October 22, 2019 | Appendix C |
| Printable application form | May 1, 2020 | WINNpass application form |
| WINNpass application instructions | May 1, 2020 | WINNpass application instructions |
| Alternate drop off location for WINNpass applications | May 1, 2020 | Alternate drop off location for WINNpass applications |
| Acceptable identication | May 1, 2020 | Appendix C |
FAQs
The WINNpass is a new program from the City of Winnipeg that provides eligible individuals or families the opportunity to purchase full-fare monthly transit passes at a reduced rate.
Winnipeg residents between the ages of 18 and 64 who meet one of the following criteria may qualify for the low income transit pass program:
- You are part of a household with income less than the Low Income Cut Off (LICO)
- You are receiving Employment Income Assistance
- You are a new permanent resident or a refugee who has been in Canada for less than a year and has not yet filed a tax return.
If your application is approved, other adult household members may also be eligible for the discount, such as the partner or spouse of the applicant.
A household refers to a single person or a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law union, adoption or a foster relationship.
Yes. As a parallel service, all eligible Transit Plus customers can apply for the WINNPass and can use it on Transit Plus once approved for the program.
Once approved Transit Plus customers can purchase a WINNPass by calling the Transit Plus contact centre at 204-986-5722.
Starting in May 2020, eligible WINNpass customers can save 30 per cent on the cost of a full fare monthly pass. This discount level will increase to 40 per cent on April 1, 2021 and 50 per cent on April 1, 2022.
Printable WINNpass application forms are available online or you can pick a paper form up at any Transit Customer Service Centre location.
You can also fill out an eletronic application and submit online.
Completed applications can be dropped off at one of our Transit Customer Service Centres; be submitted through our online portal or mailed to WINNpass, Winnipeg Transit Service Centre, Main Floor, 510 Main Street, R3B 1B9; or faxed to 204-986-3245.
You will receive a letter in the mail or by email, based on the information you provided on your application, advising you of your status.
If approved, you will need to bring your acceptance letter/email and proof of identity confirming you are a resident of Winnipeg to one of the Transit Customer Service Centres to pick up your WINNpass.
Cards are active for one year from the program acceptance date and are subject to a $5 card fee. They are non-transferable and must not be sold or shared.
The WINNpass peggo card looks identical to other peggo fare cards but only the WINNpass peggo card may be used to purchase a reduced monthly pass.
Peggo cards are only able to accept one fare category. For this reason, reduced monthly passes (WINNpass) can only be loaded onto WINNpass cards.
Once you have your WINNpass a reduced monthly passes can be purchased at any peggo sales location.
If you are having problems with your peggo card please visit the About peggo page or call 311.
