TTC announces transit reimbursement pilot for student field trips

As students across the city return to class for a new school year, the TTC is announcing a one-year pilot program that will reimburse schools for PRESTO tickets purchased for Grade 7 to 12 supervised student field trips on Mondays and Fridays.

All Toronto public, Catholic, and French-speaking schools will have access to the program, providing more than 145,000 students with a no-cost transit option to access educational opportunities.

Championed by TTC Commissioner Councillor Dianne Saxe (Ward 11, University-Rosedale) and supported by the TTC Board, the pilot aims to facilitate students’ access to educational outings while instilling a sense of confidence and responsibility in using public transit.

“By reimbursing TTC fares for student field trips, the TTC is opening doors to new opportunities and creating unforgettable learning experiences for students regardless of their economic circumstances,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “I commend Councillor Saxe, the Board, and the TTC for their work bringing this to fruition. We believe that affordability should never be a barrier for kids to learn and explore the world around them.”

“For many parents, the cost of transit is a deciding factor in whether their child can participate in a field trip. We hope this pilot program will alleviate this financial burden for thousands of students this year,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “I want to thank Councillor Saxe whose advocacy has been instrumental in launching this pilot, as well as the TTC for working closely with the city’s school boards to make this initiative a reality for the new school year.”

“Schools across the city have said this program will be valuable and useful, especially in neighbourhoods where affordability is a major barrier to kids accessing learning opportunities outside the classroom,” said TTC Commissioner Councillor Dianne Saxe, Ward 11 University-Rosedale. “This initiative is about providing equal access to education for all students and promoting a transit culture that encourages responsible and informed use of public transit.”

“The pilot program will reimburse schools for TTC fares purchased for student field trips on designated days when there is excess capacity in the system, ensuring that the initiative remains cost-neutral to the TTC,” said TTC Acting CEO Bruce Macgregor. “At the end of the school year, we will evaluate the pilot program and report the outcomes to the Board.”

About the pilot program:

• Schools can be reimbursed for PRESTO tickets used for field trips taken on Mondays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

   

• Groups of six to 20 students can take any 10-Minute Network bus route, as well as the subway and streetcars. Larger groups of up to 50 students can take any subway line. Groups of five or fewer students can use all conventional TTC modes.

   

• All Toronto public, Catholic, and French-speaking schools will have access to the program.

   

• 98 percent of schools are located within a 10-minute walking distance of a TTC route.

   

• Students must participate in classroom training before each field trip on topics ranging from transit etiquette, fare compliance, and safety.

   

• Participating school boards have signed an agreement with the TTC which outlines the eligibility, service parameters, and expectations of each party, including the requirement that field trips are educational for students to gain firsthand knowledge and participate in hands-on learning away from the classroom.

Further information about the program can be found on the TTC website at: https://www.ttc.ca/riding-the-ttc/Students/School-resources.