Hamilton’s Fare Assist program set to be permanent starting Jan. 1

The City of Hamilton is making the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) Fare Assist program permanent starting in the new year.

The program will replace the temporary Transit Fare Special and Affordable Transit Pass programs on Jan. 1, 2026.

People who are currently in the fare assist program will automatically receive the new discount starting in the new year.

The new fare assist program includes people and families with employment income, those receiving support payments such as Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program, the Canada Pension Plan disability benefit, Employment Insurance, or payments from Workplace Safety and Insurance board.

Eligibility is based on total household income, regardless of income source, for residents themselves and their family.

The permanent fare assist program will provide a 50 per cent discount on transit fares for residents at or below the Low Income Measure after taxes as defined by Statistics Canada.

Statistics Canada says according to its latest available data, the Low Income Measure threshold for one person after taxes is $30,255.

READ MORE: Hamilton city staff propose permanent transit fare assist, steeper discount

HSR buses cost $2.85 before PRESTO or fare assist. With the proposed changes, those who sign up would pay around $1.42.

The program originally launched last January as a pilot project, with over 14,000 people approved for the discount since then.

“Making Fare Assist permanent ensures Hamiltonians can move around our city more easily,” said Hamilton mayor Andrea Horwath in a statement. “We heard what residents had to say; affordability matters and this program is making a real difference. By expanding the discount, we’re helping more people get to work and school, access the healthcare and services families rely on and explore our City.”

City staff say during the program’s pilot phase, participants have taken almost one million transit trips.

The city says satisfaction for the program is at 89 per cent, and highlights the program’s ease of use and positive impact for residents to travel across the city.

“Fare Assist has been a proven success story,” said Hamilton city manager Marnie Cluckie. “It reduces financial barriers to transit, supports residents’ health and wellness by improving access to services and social connections and contributes to Hamilton’s economic vitality by helping people reach jobs and opportunities.”

The city estimates that 88,000 Hamiltonians will benefit from the program.

Eligible residents can apply online here or in person through Ontario Works or at the HSR Customer Service Office.

READ MORE: Advocates call for revisions to Hamilton Fare Assist transit program