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Written by Joy Wang, Program Advisor

It’s been a year since the initial launch of One Fare, a program funded by the Ontario government to eliminate double fares and make public transit more affordable. While this program has seen early success, the new fare structure can still be confusing for some riders. Use this guide to learn how to take full advantage of the One Fare program and make your commute more efficient and cost-effective.

What is One Fare? 

In February 2024, Metrolinx launched the One Fare program, which allows transit riders to only pay once when connecting to and from participating agencies: 

  • Between TTC and GO Transit 
  • Between TTC and neighbouring municipal transit agencies (Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay, Peel Region TransHelp and York Region Transit)

This program is expected to help riders save an average of $1,600 each year. The first phase of this program is fully funded by the provincial government until 2026. After 2026, this program will be up for renewal. 

For other transit agencies within the Greater Golden Horseshoe region that are not listed above, there may already be existing partnerships for discounted transfers between GO Transit and the regional agencies (see here for more details). 

What types of transit does it include? 

It covers all modes of public transit: subway (TTC), streetcar (TTC), train (GO Transit), and buses (TTC, GO Transit, neighboring municipal transit agencies).  

How does this impact you? 

Smart Commute Program Participants 

For Smart Commute organizations in Halton Region, One Fare now covers the region when passing via 2+ participating agencies: 

  • From TTC/ neighbouring transit agencies to GO Transit to Milton Transit (servicing Town of Halton Hills and Town of Milton), Oakville Transit, and Burlington Transit.
  • From Milton Transit (servicing Town of Halton Hills and Town of Milton), Oakville Transit, and Burlington Transit to GO Transit to TTC/ neighbouring transit agencies.

There are already other discounted transfers in place: 

  • Between GO Transit and Milton Transit (servicing Town of Halton Hills and Town of Milton), Oakville Transit, and Burlington Transit
  • Between Oakville/Burlington (free transfers) 

For SmartCommute organizations in North Toronto and Vaughan, which are part of York Region, One Fare is in full operation. See the next section for examples of cost-savings depending on trip type. 

Employers 

One Fare is a great program to promote as part of your company’s TDM plan. It helps save costs for employees, while supporting your return-to-work policy. If your company offers commute subsidies as well, this can help reduce operating costs. 

Riders

One Fare was created with riders’ affordability as the top priority. According to the Transportation Minister, Prabeet Sarkaria, “Ontario’s One Fare Program is another example of how we’re saving commuters time and money. Whether it’s to work, school or social events, our government’s historic investments in Ontario’s public transportation system is making it easier, faster and cheaper for people to get where they need to go.”

Riders of all ages are eligible for this program. Certain types of payments (ex. GO Transit e-tickets) do not qualify for One Fare. Please refer to each participating transit agency’s website for more detail. 

How does the new fare structure work in practice?

  • First Tap at Full Fare: You will be charged the full fare upon boarding your first transit. 
  • Second and Additional Taps at Discounted Fare: The discount will be applied to the second/transfer tap. Every tap after will also be discounted if they are a participating municipal transit agency. Riders must use the same card to tap on and off. If a different card is used, the One Fare discount will not be applied. 
  • Trip started on local/municipal transit: Transfers are valid for two hours.
  • Trip started on GO Transit: Transfers are valid for three hours.
  1. Between TTC to GO Transit (either direction) 

The cost of the local/municipal transit fare is saved. You will only pay the cost of a single GO Transit ride. 

  1. From GO to Participating Neighboring Transit Agencies

The cost of the neighboring local/municipal transit fare is saved. You will only pay the cost of a single GO ride. 

  1. From Participating Neighboring Transit Agencies to TTC

Depending on the direction, you either pay the cost of the TTC or the neighboring transit fare, but never both. The second tap will be discounted. 

  1. Between 2+ Connecting and Participating Transit Agencies 

The cost of the local/municipal transit is saved. You will only pay the cost of a single GO Transit ride. 

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