Children 11 and Under Ride Free
Effective January 1, 2021, Winnipeg Transit will offer fare-free travel for children age 11 and under who are riding with a fare-paying customer. While proof of age is not required, children riding for free under the program must board and exit the bus at the same locations as the fare-paying customer they are riding with.
The program is designed to eliminate financial barriers to public transit for families with children too young to stay at home, and encourage members of the next generation to choose public transit.
The City of Winnipeg is committed to providing affordable transit service for families. Customers who may be eligible are also encouraged to learn more about the WINNpass program, which provides access to discounted adult monthly fares to low-income Winnipeg families.
Information on fares for other Winnipeg Transit riders is available on the Transit Fares page. To find a location where fare products can be purchased, visit the Where to Buy page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is this program being implemented?
A: To make Transit more affordable for families and encourage the next generation to choose Transit.
Q: Who is eligible for fare-free transit under the program?
A: Children age 11 and under who are riding with a fare-paying customer.
Q: Why is 12 the cut-off age?
A: The program is designed to assist families with children who are not old enough to stay home alone.
Q: Are children who are travelling in a school or child care group eligible?
A: No; the intention of the program is to help families go about their daily activities with children who are not old enough to stay home alone. Organization–led excursions such as school and child care centre field trips are not eligible.
Q: Can a child board for free if they are meeting a fare-paying customer on the bus?
A: No; the fare-paying customer and child are required to board and leave the bus at the same stops.
Q: Does the fare-paying customer who accompanies the child need to be a parent or adult?
A: No; the individual who accompanies the child needs to be someone aged 12 or over who is responsible for the care of the child. For example, this could be an older sibling, parent, babysitter, grandparent or guardian.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of children that can accompany each fare-paying customer?
A: There is no limit to the number of children that are eligible to ride for free with each fare-paying customer. However the program is intended only for citizens and families going about their daily activities, and as such school or organization-led excursions are not eligible.
Q: What about children who are not accompanied by a fare-paying customer?
A: Children riding in the absence of a fare-paying customer are required to pay the appropriate fare amount.
Q: Do you have to provide ID proving age? Do children need to scan a bus pass or a peggo (smart) card?
A: No. Transit recognizes that requiring ID or a specialized card would create a barrier for families to access the program. The bus operator is responsible for assessing if a child meets the criteria or not. Photo ID is available at the Transit Service Centre located at 414 Osborne Street for children who look older than they are. There is a fee for photo id cards.
Q: Does the fare-paying customer have any additional responsibilities under the policy?
A: The policy for the program states the fare-paying customer must ensure they stay with eligible children who are riding the bus; they must board and exit the bus at the same stops; and the fare paying customer must supervise children they have with them on this bus.
