If you are a first-time applicant, please visit New Applications for more information.
If you are a low income student and are applying for short-term Ride Transit eligibility between semesters, please visit Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass).
Please note that Ride Transit Arc cards are non-transferable and intended for use only by the eligible Ride Transit participant.
Due to high demand, please book an appointment. The average wait time for walk-ins could be longer than expected. We will do our best to ensure we can support customers within regular business hours. However, we may not be able to serve everyone due to wait times.
How to Use Ride Transit
With Arc, instead of paying a monthly rate upfront, participants pay for transit as they use it. You can load as little as $4 or as much you need.
Once you reach a daily cap ($10.50) or the monthly Ride Transit fare cap ($36 or $51, depending on your eligibility), you can ride transit for free for the rest of that day or month.
How to Pay
To pay your fare with Arc, participants will need an Arc card and an Arc account with a Ride Transit fare profile.
Arc is convenient. You can add funds to your Arc account online at myArc.ca, at an Arc vending machine, at a participating Arc retailer, at the Edmonton Service Centre, or by calling the Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001.
Support
Need help with Arc? Contact the Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001. or email Arc through their contact form. Questions about the Ride Transit program? Call 311.
Mailing Your Application
Completed applications can be sent by mail:
Leisure Access & Ride Transit Program
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, AB, T5J 2R7
Faxed/emailed and In-person Submissions
Faxed or e-mailed forms are not accepted. In-person submissions are allowed, but applications cannot be reviewed immediately.
Dropping off Applications
The fastest way to have your completed application reviewed is by dropping off your application at a Recreation Centre, Attraction, or at the Edmonton Service Centre, 2nd floor, mail slot near the ETS Lost and Found at the Edmonton Tower.
Please be advised that you will need to wait for your application to be processed. Due to the number of applications, this may take 6-12 weeks.
The Ride Transit Program and the Leisure Access Program use the Canada Revenue Agency’s Annual Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) figures to assess applicants.
If your total household income (up to 2 married or common-law partners and your dependent children aged 17 and under) is at or less than the low-income cutoffs (LICO) figures + 10%, you will qualify for a $36 monthly Arc card.
If you do not have an existing membership in the Leisure Access Program or the Ride Transit Program, fill out the Application Form .
The approval processing time depends on the varying number of applications received each day, but typical wait times are approximately 8-12 weeks. Once your application is processed, you will be sent a letter in the mail to the address listed on your application. This letter will detail all of your benefits and how to access them.
Conditional approval of the Ride Transit Program is only offered at the Edmonton Service Centre. Conditional approvals are offered only at the time of completed application submission. The completed application:
- Must be completely filled out
- Must be signed on page 2
- Must include all required qualifying and supporting documentation.
- The applicant is required to have a government-issued photo ID (some conditions apply)
- Make an appointment at the Edmonton Service Centre (2nd floor of Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Ave NW) to ensure our staff can adequately review your application.
Due to high traffic, appointments are strongly encouraged - the average wait time for walk-ins could be longer than expected. We will do our best to ensure we can support customers within regular business hours, however we may not be able to serve everyone due to wait times.
For more information on applying for these programs (even if you are only interested in the Ride Transit Program), please visit the Leisure Access Program page. All applicants who apply for the Leisure Access or Ride Transit programs are automatically assessed for both programs.
Mailing Your Application
Completed applications can be sent by mail:
Leisure Access & Ride Transit Program
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, AB, T5J 2R7
Faxed/emailed and In-person Submissions
Faxed or e-mailed forms are not accepted. In-person submissions are allowed, but applications cannot be reviewed immediately.
Dropping off Applications
The fastest way to have your completed application reviewed is by dropping off your application at Edmonton Tower, 2nd floor, mail slot near the ETS Lost and Found:
Edmonton Tower, 2nd Floor
10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB, T5J 0J4
There are 2 ways to get your free Arc card and Ride Transit information package:
- Pick it up at Edmonton Service Centre (10111 104 Avenue NW, 2nd Floor)
- Complete and submit the Arc for Ride Transit: Mail Opt-in Form
- Request your Arc information package by mail by Calling 311
It may take up to 10 business days for processing and delivery.
You may also qualify for a $36 monthly Arc card if you meet 1 or more of the following eligibility criteria:
- If someone in your household receives Government of Alberta Income Support through Alberta Works or Foundational Learner Assistance funding
- If you or your spouse receives AISH benefits (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped)
- If someone in your household receives the Canada Pension Plan - Disability Benefit
- If you became a new Permanent Resident or were approved as a Refugee within the last year (new Permanent Residents must not have been eligible to file Canadian taxes before becoming Permanent Residents)
- If you are a Child Under Government Care (aged 17 and younger)
- If someone in your household is currently receiving Employment Insurance (EI) (assessed for the Ride Transit Program only)
- If you apply with a letter from a Registered Social Worker which details your eligibility for the program (assessed for the Ride Transit Program only)
If your household income is between 10% and 25% above the LICO figures, you may qualify for a $51 monthly Arc card.
| People in Household | Household Income ($36 monthly cap) | Household Income ($51 monthly cap) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $35,097 | $35,098 - $39,883 |
| 2 | $43,693 | $43,594 - $49,651 |
| 3 | $53,715 | $53,716 - $61,040 |
| 4 | $65,217 | $65,218 - $74,110 |
| 5 | $73,968 | $73,969 - $84,055 |
| 6 | $83,423 | $83,424 - $94,799 |
| 7 | $92,880 | $92,881 - $105,545 |
Please note:
- The listed LICO numbers apply to Line 15000 on your 2025 Notice of Assessment. These numbers are subject to changes made by the Canada Revenue Agency
- Dependants aged 18 and older must apply independently of their parents or legal guardians and provide their own eligibility documentation
- If you are married or living common-law and applying with your Notice of Assessment, you are required to list your spouse on the application and provide their Notice of Assessment for the same tax year as well (unless your spouse has never entered Canada, in which case please respond “yes” to the applicable question on the application form)
- If you are married or living common-law and any of the following qualifiers apply to you or your spouse, both spouses/partners can qualify for the program(s) provided both your names are listed on the application form: Income Support, Foundational Learner Support, AISH, Canada Pension Plan - Disability Benefit, or EI (EI for Ride Transit only)
For Individuals
To get the Ride Transit fare with Arc, you will need to use an Arc card and set up an Arc account with the Ride Transit fare profile. Once your account is set up, you can add money to your account and start using Arc.
Follow the steps below to create your Arc account and add money online at myArc.ca.
If you already have a registered Arc card, you can skip to step 2.
- Visit myArc.ca, go to “Arc® Card” in the menu, and click “Register Account.”
- In your package, you received a free Arc card. Enter the account number on the back of the card and the three-digit code on the front.
- Fill in the required information and click the ‘Create Account’ button.
- You will receive an account activation email from noreply@myarc.ca.
- Check your email to locate the activation email and click on the link.
- If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk mail folder.
- On the “Create Account” page, set your password.
- Your Arc account and Arc card are now activated.
- Log in to your Arc account
- Select “My Account” from the top menu.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Apply for Concession” button.
- Select your Arc card. Click continue.
- Select the fare profile you are eligible for:
ETS Ride Transit Basic/Plus - $36
ETS Ride Transit Lite - $51 - Enter your first name, last name, date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD), and the activation code.
To get the activation code, you can call 311, email us at ridetransitarc@edmonton.ca or call 780-496-8321. - Click submit.
You will receive an email notifying you that the Ride Transit fare profile has been added to your Arc card once your application has been approved.
You may use your Arc card before you receive the confirmation email. Money spent prior to receiving the confirmation email will contribute to your Ride Transit fare cap ($36 or $51 per month, depending on eligibility).
If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk mail folder or contact the Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001.
There are various ways you can add money to your Arc account.
Online at myArc.ca
- Log in to your Arc account.
- On the “myArc” page, scroll down to your Arc card and click “reload” next to the balance to load funds.
- Enter the amount you would like to load. You can add as little as $4 or as much as you like. Click submit.
- Add your payment method and billing address, then click submit.
In Person at an Arc Retail Outlet
- Arc cards can be purchased and money can be added to Arc accounts at select gas stations and convenience stores throughout Edmonton.
- You cannot register your Arc account at these locations. To register, go online at myArc.ca, call the Arc call centre, or visit a regional in-person service centre (e.g., Edmonton Service Centre).
List of participating Arc retail locations
In Person at an Arc Vending Machine
- Tap your Arc card on the designated area of the vending machine.
- Select load or reload your card.
- Choose the amount you wish to add to your account.
- Pay using your preferred method: debit, credit, or cash (at select machines).
By Phone
- Arc cards can be purchased and money can be added to Arc accounts by calling the Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001 (toll free).\
Note: Arc accepts Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Mastercard Debit, or American Express for payment online. You can also pay using credit cards, debit cards or cash at the Arc vending machines, participating Arc retailers, or the Edmonton Service Centre.
For Households
Arc offers a convenient way to manage your household members’ Arc cards. If you currently purchase ETS fare products, including Ride Transit monthly paper passes, for your household, please use these instructions to set up Ride Transit fares and add money onto Arc cards for your household members.
- Visit myArc.ca, go to “Arc® Card” in the menu, and click “Register Account.”
- In your package, you received a free Arc card. Enter the account number on the back of the card and the three-digit code on the front.
- Fill in the required information and click the ‘Create Account’ button.
- You will receive an account activation email from noreply@myarc.ca.
Check your email to locate the activation email and click on the link.
If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk mail folder or contact the Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001. - On the “Create Account” page, set your password.
- Your Arc account and Arc card are now activated.
- Log into your myArc.ca account.
- Click "My Arc®” in the upper right corner of the page.
- Select "Add/Enter New Card".
- Choose "Someone else (Create new person under my account)". Click “Continue”.
- Enter the card account number, card security code, and card nickname for the new Arc card.
The Card Nickname field is optional but will help differentiate between the different cards. - Complete the remaining information on the page and select "Submit".
- You will receive an email notifying you that the Ride Transit fare profile has been added to the Arc card(s).
If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk mail folder or contact us at ridetransitarc@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8321.
Repeat ‘Step 2’ for each household member as needed.
- Log into your myArc.ca account.
- Click "My Arc®" in the upper right corner of the page.
- Select the Arc card you would like to apply for the Ride Transit Concession.
- Click the "Apply for Concession" button.
- Confirm the Arc card you wish to apply the Ride Transit Concession to.
- Select the Ride Transit fare profile to connect with the Arc card:
- ETS Ride Transit Basic/Plus - $35 ($36 effective February 1, 2025)
- ETS Ride Transit Lite - $50 ($51 effective February 1, 2025)
Enter your household member's first name, last name, date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD), and the activation code provided in the Arc information package. Incorrect information may result in the Ride Transit profile being rejected from the card. - If you do not have an activation code, contact us at ridetransitarc@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8321.
- Click submit.
- You will receive an email notifying you that the Ride Transit fare profile has been added to the Arc card(s) 24-72 hours after you click submit.
- If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk mail folder or contact us at ridetransitarc@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8321.
Repeat ‘Step 3’ for each household member as needed.
You will need to add money to each Arc card managed under the primary account. There are multiple ways you can add money to Arc cards.
Online at myArc.ca
- Log in to your Arc account.
- On the “myArc” page, scroll down to the Arc card you want to add money to and click “reload” next to the balance remaining on the card.
- Enter the amount you would like to load. You can add as little as $4 or as much as you like. Click “Submit”.
- Add your payment method and billing address, then click “Submit”.
In Person at an Arc Retail Outlet
- Arc cards can be purchased and money can be added to Arc accounts at select gas stations and convenience stores throughout Edmonton.
- You cannot register your Arc account at these locations. To register, go online at myArc.ca, call the Arc call centre, or visit a regional in-person service centre (Edmonton Service Centre).
List of participating Arc retail locations
In Person at an Arc Vending Machine
- Tap your Arc card on the designated area of the vending machine.
- Select load or reload your card.
- Choose the amount you wish to add to your account.
- Pay using your preferred method: debit, credit, or cash (at select machines).
For Arc vending machine locations
Over the Phone
- Arc cards can be purchased and funds loaded by calling the toll-free, secure, Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001.
Repeat ‘Step 4’ for additional household members as needed.
Note: Arc accepts Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Mastercard Debit, or American Express for payment online. You can also use credit, debit or cash at an Arc vending machine, participating Arc retailers, or at the Edmonton Service Centre.
What You Need to Know
- Each member of your household participating in the Ride Transit Program is eligible to receive a free Arc card and Arc information package
- A single person can manage multiple Arc cards using one Arc account
- The Ride Transit fare profile (outlined in Step 2) must be added to each household member’s Arc card to get the Ride Transit fare with Arc
- If you are the primary account holder and do not have an active Arc account, start at Step 1.
- If you are the primary account holder and have an active Arc account, jump to Step 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
The application and renewal process is the same and you will automatically be considered for both programs. Please note that even if you qualify for LAP, you are not eligible for the Ride Transit Program if you are:
- A child 5 years old or younger
- A Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) card holder (free when you display your CNIB identification when boarding)
- 26% above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) or unable to provide income verification documentation
- A child under government care who receives transit products from Child and Family Services
Residents who want to apply for the Leisure Access Pass or ETS Ride Transit Program can apply for both programs with 1 application on the Leisure Access Program webpage..
It is optional for participants to use the recreation facilities and attractions offered by joining the programs. There is no charge for the Leisure Access membership. Ride Transit and Leisure Access are 2 separate programs that share the same application process. Together, they offer eligible Edmontonians a range of benefits.
Please note that your Leisure Access membership card or government-issued photo ID is required to purchase a reduced-rate Arc card of $36 or $51, effective as of February 1, 2025 and your recreation membership card is the best ID to use.
Newcomers to Canada can provide a copy of confirmation of Permanent Residence or Refugee protection claimant document as long as arrival dates are within 1 year for each person applying.
The monthly Ride Transit fare cap (*$35 or $50, depending on eligibility) is the same as the price of the monthly Ride Transit paper pass, which was discontinued in fall 2024.
If you travel on a different transit agency bus, for example, Strathcona County Transit or St. Albert Transit, before you reach your Ride Transit fare cap, you will pay more. The fare you pay on the Strathcona County or St. Albert bus will contribute to that municipality’s fare cap, not the Ride Transit fare cap. Once you reach your Ride Transit fare cap on ETS, you can ride on all regional buses for free.
Only trips on ETS contribute to your Ride Transit monthly fare cap.
*36 or $51 effective February 1, 2025
Yes. Arc cards can be loaded with cash at Arc vending machines, participating Arc retailers or the Edmonton Service Centre. See “Step 3: Add funds to your Arc account” above for more information.
No. Arc is a way for transit riders to pay their fares. Arc does not change your eligibility for the Ride Transit Program. It also does not impact the application process or when your Ride Transit eligibility expires.
Yes. If you already use an Arc card, you can add the Ride Transit fare profile to that card. To add the Ride Transit fare profile, you will need the following information:
- The fare profile you are eligible for - ETS Ride Transit Basic/Plus - $36, or ETS Ride Transit Lite - $51
- The Activation Code (provided in your Arc information package)
When applying to add the Ride Transit fare concession to your Arc card, the activation code is 333862. Please note that all applications are screened for eligibility in the Ride Transit program.
No. Once you apply the Ride Transit fare product to your Arc card, it will remain on your card until your eligibility in the Ride Transit Program expires.
Arc uses fare caps to ensure riders do not pay extra fees.
A trip with ETS currently costs $3 and covers 90 minutes of travel, including transfers. As an ETS rider, once you pay $10.25 in fare in a single day, you ride free for the rest of the day.
Ride Transit Program participants also have a monthly fare cap of $36 or $51, depending on each participant's eligibility. Once you pay a total of $36 or $51 in fare in a single calendar month, you ride free for the rest of the month.
If you do not reach your fare cap within the month, you only pay for the trips you have taken.
You can get a free Arc card two ways: by picking it up or requesting one by mail.
- To pick it up, visit Edmonton Service Centre (10111 104 Avenue NW, 2nd Floor) during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8am - 4:30pm)
- To have it delivered, do ONE of the following:
- Complete and submit the Arc for Ride Transit: Mail Opt-in Form
- Call 311