Apply for ATP

Eligibility
Household size and income limits
Fare products and prices
How to apply
Purchasing fare products
Renewing your card
FAQs
ATP brochure translated into multiple languages

The Affordable Transit Program (ATP) offers a 50 per cent discount on the price of GRT fare products. ATP is open to anyone in Waterloo Region living with low income.

 If approved, all members of your household can purchase the discounted fare products. This includes all children 17 or younger.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for ATP if:

  • You are 18 or older
  • You live in the Region of Waterloo
  • You are not a full-time college or university student
  • Your household income is below the income limit

A household consists of people you live with that you are related to, and are financially responsible for. For example, if you are over 18 and file taxes as a single person, you can apply as a household of one, even if you live with friends or roommates.  If you are married, you are considered a household of two. If you are a single parent with two children, you are a household of three. Eligibility for this program is based on total household income. Even if a member does not require a bus pass, you will need to include them in your household count, and if they are over 18, you will need to provide their income information.

Your household net income (add line 23600 from each members tax return) must be below these limits:

Household size and income limit
Household size 1 person 2 people 3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people
Household income after taxes $30,865 or less $43,649 or less $53,459 or less $61,730 or less $69,016 or less $75,603 or less

Eligibility for the ATP is managed by the Region of Waterloo Department of Community Services. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact Community Services at 519-883-2100 ext. 3 (Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.).

Fare products and prices

Once you are approved for ATP, you can purchase monthly passes, stored value or MobilityPLUS tickets. All products offer the same 50 per cent discount.

Fare product

Adult fare

Affordable Transit Program

Monthly pass

$96

$48

Stored value payment

$3.00

$1.50

MobilityPLUS ATP tickets (strip of 5)

$15.00

$7.50

 

Applying for the Affordable Transit Program

Apply for ATP

If you have questions while completing the ATP application, call 519-883-2100 ext. 3. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

If you need assistance to complete the ATP application, you can also visit one of the Community Service Welcome Centres. 

  • 99 Regina St. S., Waterloo
  • 20 Weber St. E., Kitchener
  • 150 Main St. Cambridge

Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. 

Application documents

Here’s what you’ll need to submit your application:

If you receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support:

  • Date of birth
  • SAMS Member ID OR Social Insurance Number

If you are a former student: 

  • If you were a student in the last calendar year, you will need to provide proof of completion/graduation documents.

If you are not receiving OW or ODSP, you’ll need to provide proof of address and proof of income.

Proof of address – 1 of the following:

  • Valid driver's licence
  • Ontario photo ID card
  • Government issued mail
  • Current utility bill
  • Rent receipt or lease
  • Mortgage document

Proof of income – 1 of the following, for each income-earning member of your household:

  • Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment: your most recent Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency that shows your income on line 23600. This is the document that the CRA sent you after they received your tax summary; it verifies your net income. 
  • CRA Proof of income statement (Option C)
  • Letter from Registered Social Worker
  • If you are new to Canada in the current calendar year, you can submit one of the following: 
    • PR or citizenship card 
    • Refugee protection document 
    • Verification of claim 
    • Work permit 
    • Confirmation of permanent residence 
  • If you were a student in the last calendar year, you will need to provide proof of completion/graduation documents.

You can submit your supporting documents by uploading a copy of the documents during the application process, or emailing a copy to affordabletransitprogram@regionofwaterloo.ca. Put your application reference number as the subject line.

You can also submit your application online and bring your documents in person to one of the Community Services Welcome Centres:   

  • 99 Regina St. S., Waterloo
  • 20 Weber St. E., Kitchener
  • 150 Main St. Cambridge

Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Getting your proof of income documents

Online:

  • Log in to your Canada Revenue Agency My Account
  • Once you've logged in, you can download your notice of assessment, or get a proof of income statement (Option C).

By phone:

  • Call 1-800-267-6999
  • You'll need your:
    • Social Insurance Number
    • Full name and date of birth
    • Your complete address
    • Line 150 from your most recent assessment

Purchasing fare products

Once you're approved for ATP, you'll need to visit GRT customer service to get your ATP EasyGO fare card. A new card costs $5. Every approved member of your household who will be using transit will need to go to customer service, in person, to get their photo taken and printed on their EasyGO card.

Once you have your ATP EasyGO fare card, you can load reduced monthly passes or stored value.

You can load monthly passes:

You can load stored value

If you purchase a regular monthly pass before your eligibility is confirmed, you will not be able to have your pass refunded. You will be able to purchase a discounted monthly pass for the next calendar month.

MobilityPLUS customers

If you use MobilityPLUS specialized services, you can purchase reduced MobilityPLUS ATP tickets to pay your fare on MobilityPLUS vehicles.

ATP tickets can be purchased at:

  • GRT Customer Service Centre, 105 King St. E., Kitchener (corner of King and Benton streets)
  • Ainslie Street Terminal, 35 Ainslie St. S., Cambridge
  • GRT Operations Centre, 250 Strasburg Rd., Kitchener
  • By calling 519-585-7597 ext. 7347 (Credit card only)

Renewing your card

Your eligibility for ATP lasts for one year. Once the year is up, your card will no longer work on GRT. If you are no longer eligible for ATP, you can exchange your ATP card for a new EasyGO card at GRT customer service; leftover balance or monthly pass will be transferred to your new card. If you are still eligible for ATP, you can reapply for the program. 

There are two steps to renewing your card:

  1. Complete and submit the ATP application again, including your updated proof of income documents, if required.
  2. Once your application is approved, visit GRT customer service to get your new ATP card. Any leftover stored value balance can be transferred from the old card to your new card.

Frequently Asked Questions