Approximately 28,000 young people took advantage of free transit across Ottawa this summer, and some families are now calling on the city to expand the program. Since July 1, youth between the ages of 11 and 18 have been able to ride OC Transpo buses, the O-Train and Para Transpo for free throughout the day. Starting Aug. 31, free youth transit will continue after 5 p.m. on weekdays, weekends and public holidays. However, some riders would like to see the all-day benefit continue year-round. For Jessie McWatty, public transit is the only way she can travel around the city with her niece and nephew, Hailey McWatty and Gavin Wykers. “It makes a big difference for us because I can’t drive, and it’s the only way that I can get out with my nieces, my nephew, to have a time together,” McWatty said. The program has also given the children more freedom to visit family and friends without adding another expense. “I could take the O-Train out to Orléans to go see my nani and poppy, or I could go over to my friend’s place,” Wykers said. “They could just drive to come pick me up from the O-Train station.” Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard said summer participation was slightly higher than anticipated. He said the number of young customers and rides taken more than tripled compared to 2025. “It’s just great for reducing congestion, for independence for young people, for them getting to jobs or seeing friends,” Menard said. “Also good for family budgets and affordability.” Ottawa City Council approved free youth transit as part of the 2026 budget. Menard said it was funded through savings on diesel fuel and did not require an increase to property taxes. Despite the strong uptake, some families said they did not know the program was available. “I did not know about that free youth bus pass because I do have a youth that’s 11, and I would have loved to know,” transit rider Julie Gooch said. “It was an actual bus driver that told me after he paid to go on the bus.” Gooch said her family likely would have used transit for more summer outings had they known. She said they plan to use the continuing evening and weekend benefit, which could save money on gasoline, parking and vehicle expenses while giving her children experience navigating the transit system. Menard said expanding free youth transit to weekday daytime hours during the school year is complicated by how student transportation is funded. “Otherwise, the municipality would be subsidizing the province. It would be another download,” he said. “We’re trying to work it out where they’re funding students through the school boards.” Council has directed city staff to continue working with the province and Ottawa’s school boards to find a way to align the programs. Hailey McWatty said removing fares throughout the year could help young people reach school, jobs, extracurricular activities and family members, particularly those without access to a vehicle. “Especially when school starts up, it’ll be great because it’ll give kids a way to get home, to go visit people, to do things and maybe extracurriculars they might need to travel for,” she said. Menard said council will continue pushing for greater access to free youth transit in the future.
