Cities

Edmonton proposes transit fare increases of 25 percent by 2030

The city's proposed four-year budget would see the single trip fare rise from $3 to $3.75 by the end of the decade.

By Erin Kowalski, Editor-in-Chief
November 10, 2026

EDMONTON · Edmonton city administration has proposed raising transit fares by 25 percent over the next four years. The single trip fare would increase from $3 to $3.15 in 2027, then to $3.30 in 2028, $3.50 in 2029, and finally $3.75 in 2030. This would bring the electronic fare in line with the cash fare, which is proposed to remain unchanged. Monthly fare caps for the Arc card system would also rise by the same percentage.

The Arc system charges riders only for trips taken until they reach a monthly cap, after which they ride for free. Under the proposal, the number of trips needed to reach that cap would not change. A standard adult would still ride free after 34 trips, a youth after 22, and a senior after 12. The monthly cap for low-income Ride Transit users would also increase, though they would still reach it after 12 or 17 trips depending on their income level.

The fare hikes are part of a new policy to establish consistent cost recovery targets for city services. A city report noted that property tax revenue has grown by 60 percent in the past decade, while transit revenue has fallen by 18 percent. Administration said it does not aim to recover the full cost of transit from fares, which currently cover about 23 percent of operating costs. The service would continue to be funded by a mix of user fees and taxes.

Councillor Anne Stevenson expressed concern in May that a focus on cost recovery could harm the transit system. "What I'm hearing is we increase transit fares, or we reduce service, if we do those two things … do we get to a point where we are increasing prices, which drives down usership, which drives down revenues further?" Stevenson said. She warned this could lead to a "death spiral" for transit revenue.

Edmonton's last fare increase was in February 2025. Compared to other major Canadian cities, Edmonton's transit remains relatively affordable. A single fare in Calgary is $4, in Toronto it is $3.30, and in Montreal it is $3.75. Monthly passes in those cities cost $126, about $155, and $110 respectively.

City council will begin budget deliberations on Nov. 23 at a public hearing. A final vote on the 2027-2030 budget is expected by Dec. 18. Mayor Andrew Knack will host a Reddit Ask Me Anything session about the municipal budget on Nov. 10.

With files from Taproot Edmonton