Brampton Transit Fares Increase to Offset Financial Pressures
The increase also affects weekly and monthly Presto passes for adults and children, as well as senior and youth fares.
Starting May 1, fares for nearly all riders on Brampton Transit have increased. The universal cash fare is now $4.50, up from $4.00, and Presto e-Purse trips have gone up to $3.40 from $3.10. The increase also affects weekly and monthly Presto passes for adults and children, as well as senior and youth fares.
The City approved the fare increase in its 2023 budget, citing financial pressures due to inflation in labor, fuel, and vehicle repairs, as well as increased demand for transit service enhancements. The fare increase is expected to generate an additional $5.3 million in net revenues for 2023, which the City plans to use to balance user fees with municipal investments.
Although Brampton Transit froze fares and deferred a planned fare change in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ridership has since returned, with 15% more people now using the system than before the pandemic. However, this increased ridership also puts pressure on the transit system, which the fare increase aims to address.
Children under 12 and Brampton resident seniors are exempt from the fare increase, and the City will continue its free seniors’ fare program, allowing Brampton seniors over 65 with a Brampton Senior ID to be eligible for a free transit pass.