Winnipeg Transit is helping students get to and from school this season with free youth passes through a partnership with the Province of Manitoba.
The Youth Ride Free pilot is available to students ages 11 to 21 in Grades 7-12 at public, independent, and homeschool programs. It is intended to make transit more affordable and accessible for young people while maintaining safe, reliable, and accessible service for all Winnipeg Transit users.
Schools are providing passes to eligible students as part of a staged roll-out. Passes are valid from September 2026 to August 2027 and can be used for travel to and from school, work, and recreational activities.
The pilot program may lead to more passengers on Winnipeg Transit buses. We expect buses to be busier than usual, particularly during the morning and afternoon rush hour periods. This is a common pattern that we see every September, when students return to school and residents settle into new routines.
We will closely monitor ridership, crowding, and service reliability during the pilot program. This will help us identify routes and times where additional service changes may be needed.
In anticipation of the increase in youth riders, Winnipeg Police Services, Winnipeg Transit Inspectors and Community Safety Officers will have a more visible presence on main routes serving middle and high schools.
Students and families are encouraged to plan ahead and familiarize themselves with route options and schedules before they travel by using the Winnipeg Transit app and by visiting winnipegtransit.com. For more information on the pilot, visit winnipeg.ca/youthridefree.
