Ontario is extending its One Fare transit program for an additional two years, pledging to keep commuting costs down for millions of riders across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) as economic pressures continue to weigh on households. The program, launched in 2024, allows customers to pay a single fare when transferring between participating transit systems — savings the province says now total nearly $200 million.
The Ministry of Transportation announced the extension on Monday, noting that One Fare has enabled almost 62 million free transfers to date and is saving some riders as much as $1,600 annually.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is delivering on our promise to protect the hardworking people of Ontario in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “We’re extending the elimination of double fares through One Fare to make transit more affordable and convenient, saving commuters up to $1,600 each year.”
The program eliminates double fares for customers moving between the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay, Peel TransHelp and York Region Transit. Officials say the integration is helping build a more seamless regional network while reducing financial barriers for everyday commuters.
Since its launch, One Fare has been pitched as a cornerstone of the province’s strategy to strengthen regional transit connections. The initiative aligns with Ontario’s broader $70-billion investment in what it calls the largest transit expansion program in North America, including the most significant subway expansion in Canadian history. Major projects underway include the Ontario Line, Yonge North Subway Extension and the Hazel McCallion Line, alongside upgrades intended to support two-way, all-day GO train service on core routes.
Municipal leaders across the GTHA welcomed the announcement, highlighting the program’s affordability benefits and its role in boosting ridership.
“I applaud the Ontario government for its commitment to supporting residents and making public transit more accessible,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “With our decision at the City of Toronto not to raise TTC fares for three years running, and the extension of the One Fare program allowing commuters to pay once when transferring from GO Transit to the TTC, we are delivering a more affordable city for Torontonians.”
York Region also emphasized the impact on cross-boundary travel. “The Regional Municipality of York is proud to be part of the One Fare Program, the result of years of advocacy and collaboration with the Province, Metrolinx and partner transit agencies,” said Eric Jolliffe, Chairman and CEO. “By simplifying cross-boundary travel and making it more affordable, the program has supported over 7.6 million trips and helped grow regional connectivity. We thank the Government of Ontario for extending the program so York Region residents can continue to enjoy the convenience, savings and seamless travel One Fare provides.”
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish noted the financial pressures local families face and the importance of reliable, affordable transit links. “I am pleased to be able to welcome this extension of One Fare. It is a direct help to hundreds of thousands of daily Mississauga transit users who rely on our MiWay service and its essential link with the Toronto Transit Commission. This extended partnership — facilitated by the province — will allow financially strained families to travel to where they need to go, connecting them to their jobs, and to essential services in a way that is affordable.”
Metrolinx, which oversees GO Transit and regional transit planning, said One Fare is influencing behaviour and encouraging more people to shift from cars to transit. “Transit is part of everyday life for so many in our communities. It’s how people get to work, school, appointments, and opportunities,” said Michael Lindsay, President and CEO. “With One Fare, we’ve made that journey simpler and more affordable, and 37 per cent of riders say they’re using transit more since its launch. We’re proud to partner with the province and municipalities to keep improving how people move across our region.”
National industry groups also endorsed the move. “CUTA welcomes the two-year extension of Ontario’s One Fare program,” said Marco D’Angelo, CEO and President of the Canadian Urban Transit Association. “We thank the Government of Ontario for continuing this initiative, which makes transit more affordable and helps riders in the GTHA reach education, jobs, and other key opportunities. Premier Ford and Minister Sarkaria continue to demonstrate strong support for public transit investment in Canada.”
The province says riders can continue to access One Fare by tapping a PRESTO card — physical or digital — or by using a debit or credit card for the duration of their trip. Transfer rules remain unchanged: two hours for trips starting on local transit and three hours for trips beginning on GO Transit.
With major transit construction ramping up across the GTHA, the government is positioning One Fare as an important bridge toward a more connected, region-wide system — and one that it argues is essential to economic growth and long-term affordability for residents.
