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Transit Benefit Pass

$50 monthly pass for eligible Niagara residents.

A partnership between Niagara Region and Niagara Transit, giving lower-income residents unlimited monthly travel for less.

Person sitting in courtesy seating area on bus.

Do I qualify?

Two ways to be eligible

You must be a Niagara resident, and meet one of the following:

Path 1

You receive OW or ODSP

If you get Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program benefits, you automatically qualify.

Path 2

You qualify as low-income

If you’re not on OW or ODSP, you can apply to have your income assessed against low-income criteria.

Everyone must:

  • Be a Niagara resident
  • Meet one of the two paths above

Please note: Full-time post-secondary students are not eligible for the Transit Benefit Pass. Brock and Niagara College students ride on the U-Pass instead.

Step 1 · Apply

Applying depends on your path

If you’re on OW or ODSP, there’s no separate application. If you’re applying by income, you’ll need approval from Niagara Region first.

OW or ODSP

You already qualify

OW and ODSP recipients automatically qualify. You don’t need to apply; just show proof of your benefits when you get your pass.

  1. Get your proof of eligibility from your monthly payment statement, by mail or online through MyBenefits.
  2. OW clients can also ask their caseworker for a proof-of-eligibility letter.

Then go straight to getting your pass below.

Low-income

Apply to be assessed

Complete a short application so Niagara Region can determine your financial eligibility.

  1. Apply online at owbenefits.niagararegion.ca.
  2. Provide one piece of ID for each household member (birth certificate, driver’s licence, health card or citizenship document).
  3. Provide proof of income, such as bank statements, pay stubs or pension stubs.
  4. A staff member will contact you to review your application.

Other ways to apply:
Call: 905-641-9960 ext. 6072
Fax: 905-984-6759
Mail: OW Discretionary Benefit Team
234 Bunting Rd., St. Catharines, L2R 6Z4

Important for Path 2: Your application must be approved by Niagara Region before you buy a pass. Passes you’ve already bought can’t be reimbursed. Once approved, you’ll get a Transit Benefit Pass Approval Form for each eligible family member. Bring it when you get your pass.

Step 2 · Get your pass

Two ways to get your pass each month

First, get verified in person once. After that, you can buy the $50 pass each month for a year.

Option A

Use the Transit app

  1. Get verified in person at the St. Catharines or Welland Bus Terminal.
  2. Show a valid ID plus your OW/ODSP statement or Approval Form.
  3. Give us your email address.
  4. We add an entitlement to your Transit app account, so you can buy the $50 pass in the app each month for one year.

The pass appears in the app once you’ve paid for that month.

Option B

Buy a physical pass

  1. Get verified in person at the St. Catharines or Welland Bus Terminal.
  2. Show a valid ID plus your OW/ODSP statement or Approval Form.
  3. Buy the $50 pass on site.

Only the verified person can buy the pass, and you’ll need your ID and documents each time.

What to bring

Documents you’ll need

Bring both proof of eligibility and a matching piece of ID.

Proof of eligibility (one)

  • OW or ODSP: recent benefit statement or proof of enrollment
  • Low-income: approved letter from Niagara Region’s Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities office

Valid ID (one)

  • Birth certificate
  • Driver’s licence
  • Health card
  • Citizenship document

Your ID must match the name on your proof of eligibility.

Outlet Locations

Where to get your pass each month

Verification and digital Transit App reloads can only be done at:

  • St. Catharines Terminal
  • Welland Terminal

We’re here to help

Questions about the Transit Benefit Pass?

Our team can walk you through eligibility, documents, or getting your pass.

Call 1-833-678-5463
info@niagaratransit.ca
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