This year, a motion from City Councillor Shawn Menard secured free transit for youth 18-and-under on evenings, weekends, holidays, and all summer. 

As a result, OC Transpo reported that 28,000 youth transit riders made ~456,000 trips in summer 2026—whereas in summer 2025, 8,000 youth made just ~130,000 trips.

But free transit doesn’t just increase ridership—it also improves affordability, fosters independence, and helps young people get to jobs. 

City council must build on this success by continuing to expand free transit for youth 18-and-under all day, 365 days per year.

To make this possible, the provincial government must cooperate with the city and provide funding not only for shiny new transit investments, but the operational dollars to get riders moving.

Add your name today to tell City Council that free transit works—and Ottawa needs more of it!