Winnipeg and Province of Manitoba Partner to Launch Free Youth Transit Pass Pilot Program

WINNIPEG, MB — The City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba announced a landmark $12 million co-funding partnership establishing the Youth Transit Equity Program, providing free universal transit access to students and youth aged 11 to 21 across the city.

Removing Economic Barriers to Mobility and Education

The pilot program will distribute smart Peggo transit passes to an estimated 45,000 public, separate, and post-secondary students starting September 1, 2026. Municipal transit officials stated that universal youth passes increase ridership, reduce traffic congestion around secondary schools, and alleviate family transportation costs by up to $1,050 annually per student.

Mayor Scott Gillingham and Premier Wab Kinew stated that investing in youth public transit creates lifelong transit ridership habits and supports youth after-school employment.

School Division and Community Endorsements

Winnipeg School Division trustees and student councils praised the universal access pass for expanding access to extracurricular programs and libraries.

Winnipeg Transit will deploy 20 additional articulated buses during morning and afternoon peak school travel hours.

Evaluation Timeline

The pilot program will operate for a 12-month trial period, with a joint city-provincial ridership report presented to council in June 2027.