Winnipeg Transit is now accepting applications for a new program that will provide discounted adult monthly transit passes to eligible families in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Once the WINNpass becomes available for pick up, approved applicants will be able to load it with an adult monthly pass that costs 30-percent less than a full fare pass.
The city council voted to bring in a low-income transit program in fall of 2019, and Winnipeg Transit partnered with organizations that serve families to bring it to fruition. Future phases of the program rollout will see drop off points for applications installed at locations in the community, including Winnipeg Harvest and all ACCESS centers in Winnipeg. The program is currently accepting applications by mail, fax and online.
Due to COVID-19 related closures of Winnipeg Transit Customer Service Centers, the WINNpass is not currently available for pickup. Approved applicants will be able to pick up their WINNpass peggo cards and load them with discounted fares when all Customer Services Centers reopen.
The phased-in WINNpass discount will grow to a 40-percent discount in May 2021 and a 50-percent discount in May 2022.
Winnipeg residents between the ages of 18 and 64 who meet one of the following criteria may qualify for the WINNpass program:
- The resident is part of a household with income less than the Low Income Cut Off (LICO);
- The resident receives employment income assistance;
- The resident is a new permanent resident or a refugee who has been in Canada for less than a year and has not yet filed a tax return.
Other adult household members may also be eligible for the discount, such as the partner or spouse of the applicant.