Free youth transit passes now available for Winnipeg students
Posted September 10, 2026 2:25 pm.
Thousands of Winnipeg students can now ride public transit for free as the City of Winnipeg and the Manitoba government launch a new youth transit pilot program.
The Youth Ride Free program is available to students ages 11 to 21 in Grades 7 to 12, including those attending public, independent and homeschool programs. Passes are valid from Sept. 2026 to August 2027 and can be used for school, work and recreational activities.
More than 21,000 students have already received their passes, with distribution continuing through Winnipeg schools. Students in Grades 11 and 12 began receiving passes first, followed by Grades 9 and 10 on Sept. 22, while Grades 7 and 8 are expected to receive theirs by the end of the month.
The province says the program could save families hundreds of dollars each year, with a monthly youth pass currently costing $88.55.
Winnipeg Transit expects buses to be busier, particularly during morning and afternoon rush hours, and says it will monitor ridership, crowding and service reliability throughout the pilot.
