In December 2023, York Regional Council approved the 2024 budget which includes a 3% annual transit fare increase effective on July 1, 2024. This is the first fare increase since 2019 and will help to address the rising costs of running the transit system. Costs of operating the transit system have been going up over the last five years due to rising fuel costs, insurance, and operation and maintenance costs.

Fare Chart (effective July 1, 2024)
Fare ConcessionCurrent fareFares effective July 1, 2024
Adult (Ages 20 to 64 years) - using PRESTO $3.88 $4.00
Youth (Ages 13 to 19 years) - using PRESTO $3.03 $3.10
Senior (Ages 65+ years) - using PRESTO $2.40 $2.45
Child* (Ages six to 12 years) - using PRESTO $2.40 $2.45
Cash, credit or debit $4.25 $4.40

* Children five years and under ride free

Discounted YRT fares continue to be offered through the PRESTO card, YRT Pay App and the Transit App. In addition, YRT offers several discount and fare assistance programs such as the Transit Assistance Program (TAP), One Fare, Ride to GO and Fare Capping.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are fares increasing?

Fare changes help cover the rising operating costs due to high inflation and help support the cost of delivering service to the Region. Over the next several years, transit will continue to make investments in the following initiatives to improve service for travellers:

  • Purchasing additional electric buses with support from the federal Zero-Emission Transit Fund
  • Increasing frequency on high-demand routes as part of the Frequent Transit Network (FTN)
  • Expanding On-Request transit service in low-demand areas of the Region
  • Providing reliable, on-time transit service
Who decided to increase the fares?

YRT conducts an annual fare review as part of the planning and budget process. The fare review ensures balanced costs between riders and taxpayers and considers several factors including:

  • the price of fuel
  • operating and insurance costs
  • consistency with other GTA transit system fares
  • cost recovery targets
  • supporting ongoing growth and YRT service improvements

The fare increase was approved by York Regional Council in December 2023.
What if I have trouble paying my bus fare?

There are several transit discount and fare assistance programs that you may be able to take advantage of:

  1. Discounts with PRESTO: Reduced YRT fares are offered through the PRESTO card and PRESTO in Google Wallet, with discounts up to 43% on cash fare. There are also discounted rates for seniors, youth and children; children five years and under always ride free
  2. Ride to GO: Ride to GO lets customers travel on YRT for free when showing proof-of-payment for a trip on GO Transit. Ride to GO is available on any YRT and TTC route in York Region travelling to or from GO Transit services. You must use a PRESTO card, PRESTO in Google Wallet, credit or debit card on a PRESTO device, and have valid GO Transit fare. Learn more on our Ride to GO page.
  3. Transit Assistance Program (TAP): If you need assistance covering the cost of your fare, you may be eligible for TAP. Eligible residents can receive a 50% discount on regular adult single ride PRESTO fare. After 40 trips your rides will be free for unlimited travel for the remainder of the calendar month. Learn more on our Transit Assistance Program page.
  4. Fare Capping Program: The YRT Fare Capping Program can help make taking transit more affordable for frequent riders. When you use your PRESTO card, you only pay for a certain number of rides in a calendar month, the rest are free until the month is over! Learn more on our Fare Capping Program page.
  5. One Fare Program: The introduction of Ontario’s One Fare Program earlier this year helps to reduce travel costs when travelling between different transit systems. Customers can transfer for free when connecting to and from the TTC and YRT, using a PRESTO, credit or debit card on a PRESTO device. Learn more on our One Fare Program page.
Will there be any changes to the Fare Capping program?

There will not be any changes to the Fare Capping program at this time.

What is Fare Capping?

Each time you pay a YRT fare with your PRESTO card, it will track the number of trips. It will automatically stop charging you a fare after you’ve reached the trip caps below:

Fare Capping: trip caps by concessions
ConcessionDescription
Adult Free travel after 40 trips in a calendar month
Youth Free travel after 39 trips in a calendar month
Senior Free travel after 28 trips in a calendar month
Child Free travel after 28 trips in a calendar month
What steps has YRT taken to try and avoid raising fares?

YRT reviews operating costs for all services during all times and makes changes to the YRT system to better match capacity with demand. YRT also continues to explore non-passenger and other revenue opportunities. 
What value will travellers see due to the fare increase?

Over the next several years, YRT will continue to make investments to improve service for travellers, including: 

  • Purchasing additional electric buses with support from the federal Zero-Emission Transit Fund 
  • Increasing frequency on high-demand routes as part of the Frequent Transit Network (FTN) 
  • Expanding On-Request transit service in low-demand areas of the Region 
  • Providing reliable, on-time transit service 
Why isn’t the transit system paid for by the municipality?

The majority of YRT transit costs are paid for by York Region taxpayers. YRT aims to have approximately 60% of transit costs subsidized by York Region taxpayers and senior government funding and 40% subsidized by fares; currently, YRT’s revenue to cost ratio (e.g., operating revenues to direct operating expenses) is at approximately 36%, which is below the 40% YRT aims to achieve. Increasing fares will help to achieve a better balance between taxpayers and riders.
Why are fares between TTC and YRT so different?

It’s hard to compare fares between the two transit systems because they service vastly different populations and geographic areas. York Region covers a larger geographical area and has a smaller ridership than the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). As a result, the Region requires more support from taxpayers to provide service to all areas of the Region and support the growing ridership. The TTC is able to cover a large portion of the costs through fares but YRT is not.

As a transit system servicing a large geographical area, significant transit investment is required to support growing ridership in one of Ontario’s fastest growing regions.