Brampton Transit fares going up 10% to cover rising costs

Some Brampton Transit users can expect to pay around 10 per cent more for every trip when fares go up later this year to offset increased operating costs and more riders.

Changes are coming to the cash, adult, youth, and non-resident senior fares on Brampton Transit. The increase was approved last during the City’s budget process and will see select Brampton Transit fares jump between 9 to 13 per cent.

The universal cash fare flat rate will be going up from $4.00 to $4.50, while Presto e-Purse trips will go up to $3.40 from $3.10. Weekly Presto passes for adults are going up to $37.50 while monthly passes will climb from $128.00 to $141.25 per month.

Youth and senior fares are all also increasing. 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 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. 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.

With inflation in labour, fuel, vehicle repairs, and demand for enhancements to transit service, the City says Brampton Transit is “facing financial pressures.” The City says 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.

Brampton Transit saw a slump in ridership during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a freeze of fares and a deferred 2020 fare change.

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.

No set date has been announced for the fare changes, but a report from staff said the increase is planned for the second quarter of 2023.