KIDS 12 and under ride free 

Oakville Transit first introduced its kids 12 and under ride free program in March 2021.

Starting March 1, 2023, kids 12 and under will continue to ride free by tapping on board with a PRESTO card or by traveling with a parent/guardian. This change to the program will allow older children who may be travelling on their own to continue to take transit for free.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Effective March 1, 2023, kids 12 and under must tap on with a PRESTO card or travel with a parent/guardian to ride free.

The ride will be recorded on PRESTO as a $0 dollar fare.

 

Yes. Effective March 1, 2023, kids 12 and under are required to tap on board with a PRESTO card or travel with a parent/guardian in order to ride free. Tapping a PRESTO card helps with tracking ridership and identify the correct concession of the customer.

Oakville Transit will be offering a limited number of PRESTO cards for free from Monday, February 13 to Tuesday, February 28 (or until quantities last) at the following two locations:

  • Oakville Transit - 430 Wyecroft Road (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m)   *Closed on Family Day, Monday February 20
  • Service Oakville counter, Town Hall - 1225 Trafalgar Road (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)   *Closed on Family Day, Monday February 20

Please bring proof of age, such as a birth certificate, to get a free kids' PRESTO card.

PRESTO cards are available for a $6 one-time issuing fee at prestocard.ca (allow 7-10 business days for delivery) or at any authorized PRESTO agents listed below. 

  • Oakville Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road (debit and credit sales only)
  • Oakville Transit office, 430 Wyecroft Road
  • Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Oakville:
    • Bronte, 2297 Lakeshore Road West
    • Dundas and Neyagawa, 478 Dundas Street West
    • Dundas and Prince Michael, 2525 Prince Michael Drive
    • Kerr and Speers, 550 Kerr Street
    • Oakville Place, 240 Leighland Avenue
    • South Oakville Centre, 1515 Rebecca Street
    • Third Line and Dundas, 2501 Third Line
    • Trafalgar and Cornwall, Olde Oakville Marketplace, 351 Cornwall Road
    • Upper Middle and Eighth Line, Upper Oakville Shopping Centre, 1011 Upper Middle Road East
  • Oakville, Bronte and Clarkson GO Transit stations

 

Customers may be asked to provide proof of age for any of the Oakville Transit concession categories (child, youth or senior). Customers should be prepared to show proof of age if requested.

When your child turns 13, the PRESTO card will default to an Adult concession. Please present the card at a PRESTO service outlet to set the card as a Youth concession. Visit the Fares page for more information.

It is best to check with individual transit systems on their fare policies, but here are some examples for local connections:

  • Oakville Transit to Burlington Transit: Starting March 1, 2023, a PRESTO card is required for kids 12 and under (unless travelling with a parent/guardian). Tap your PRESTO card on both the Oakville bus and Burlington bus. 
  • Burlington Transit to Oakville Transit: Starting March 1, 2023, a PRESTO card is required for kids 12 and under (unless travelling with a parent/guardian). Tap your PRESTO card on both the Burlington bus and Oakville bus.
  • Oakville Transit to MiWay: A fare will be required when boarding the MiWay bus. Transfers will not be issued to children 12 and under.
  • MiWay to Oakville Transit: A fare is required on MiWay, and the child may transfer onto Oakville Transit with a free transfer.
  • Between Oakville Transit and GO Transit: no fares required for children 12 and under.