For youth experiencing homelessness, the cost of a bus fare can mean the difference between opportunity and another night on the street. Every dollar spent on transit is a dollar taken away from food, shelter, or other essential needs, making mobility a daily struggle. 

National research highlights the reality of transport poverty, where low-income households in Canada struggle to access essential services due to high costs or inadequate transit coverage (Lucas, van Wee, & Maat, 2019). Free transit helps bridge this gap by reducing social isolation and providing a practical, cost-effective way to support individuals at risk of homelessness.

Toronto’s Transit Access Project (TAP) piloted a program that provided free monthly transit passes to 36 youth experiencing homelessness (Transit Access Project, 2022). The findings were striking: 76% of participants reported missing appointments, work shifts, or school because they could not afford transit fares, and half had previously missed job interviews for the same reason. With free transit, participants were able to attend interviews, access healthcare, reach shelters, and connect with housing services. Some even transitioned into permanent housing during the pilot.

Beyond these tangible outcomes, participants reported improved mental health, stronger social connections, and a renewed sense of independence. Reliable access to transit gave them the confidence to attend work, school, and housing appointments, transforming small daily actions into meaningful steps toward long-term stability.

Free public transit does more than move people; it opens doors to opportunity, dignity, and security. By removing transportation barriers, cities can help prevent homelessness before it begins, connect residents to essential services, and foster more inclusive communities.

Investing in free transit is not simply about buses or trains, it’s about recognizing mobility as a human right. For individuals on the margins, a simple transit pass can transform lives, turning access into opportunity and vulnerability into stability.

References:

https://www.transitaccessprojecttap.ca/free-transit-pilot

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0967070X18304736

‍