Affordable transit program

If you need assistance to complete the ATP application, you can call or visit one of the Community Service Welcome Spaces. 

Required application documents:

Here’s what you’ll need to submit your application:

If you receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support:

• Date of birth
• SAMS Member ID OR Social Insurance Number

If you are a former student: 

• If you were a student in the last calendar year, you will need to provide proof of completion/graduation documents.

If you are not receiving OW or ODSP, you’ll need to provide proof of address and proof of income.

Proof of address – one of the following:

• Valid driver's licence
• Ontario photo ID card
• Government issued mail
• Current utility bill
• Rent receipt or lease
• Mortgage document

Proof of income – one of the following, for each income-earning member of your household:

• Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment: your most recent Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency that shows your income on line 23600. This is the document that the CRA sent you after they received your tax summary; it verifies your net income. 
• CRA Proof of income statement (Option C)
• Letter from Registered Social Worker

• If you are new to Canada in the current calendar year, you can submit one of the following: 
  
  • PR or citizenship card 
  • Refugee protection document 
  • Verification of claim 
  • Work permit 
  • Confirmation of permanent residence 

• If you were a student in the last calendar year, you will need to provide proof of completion/graduation documents.

You can submit your supporting documents by uploading a copy of the documents during the application process, or emailing a copy to affordabletransitprogram@regionofwaterloo.ca. Put your application reference number as the subject line.

You can also submit your application online and bring your documents in person to one of the Community Services Welcome Centres.   

Getting your proof of income documents

Online:

• Log in to your Canada Revenue Agency My Account
• Once you've logged in, you can download your notice of assessment, or get a proof of income statement (Option C).

By phone:

• Call 1-800-267-6999
• You'll need your:
  • Social Insurance Number
  • Full name and date of birth
  • Your complete address
  • Line 150 from your most recent assessment

Purchasing fare products

Once you're approved for ATP, you'll need to visit GRT customer service to get your ATP EasyGO fare card. There is a new fare card fee. Anyone 18 and over must visit a Customer Service Centre with government issued ID to pick up an EasyGO fare card. Household members 17 years of age and younger do not need to be present.

Once you have your ATP EasyGO fare card, you can load reduced monthly passes or stored value.

You can load monthly passes:

• Online using the My EasyGO website
• At fare vending machines
• At GRT customer service

You can load stored value

• Online using the My EasyGO website
• At fare vending machines
• At GRT customer service

If you purchase a regular monthly pass before your eligibility is confirmed, you will not be able to have your pass refunded. You will be able to purchase a discounted monthly pass for the next calendar month.

MobilityPLUS customers

If you use MobilityPLUS specialized services, you can purchase reduced MobilityPLUS ATP tickets to pay your fare on MobilityPLUS vehicles.

ATP tickets can be purchased at:

• GRT Customer Service Centre, 105 King St. E., Kitchener (corner of King and Benton streets)
• Ainslie Street Terminal, 35 Ainslie St. S., Cambridge
• GRT Operations Centre, 250 Strasburg Rd., Kitchener
• By calling 519-585-7597 ext. 7347 (Credit card only)

Renewing your card

Your eligibility for ATP lasts for one year. Once the year is up, your card will no longer work on GRT. If you are no longer eligible for ATP, you can exchange your ATP card for a new EasyGO card at GRT customer service; leftover balance or monthly pass will be transferred to your new card. If you are still eligible for ATP, you can reapply for the program. 

There are two steps to renewing your card:

1. Complete and submit the ATP application again, including your updated proof of income documents, if required.
2. Once your application is approved, visit GRT customer service to get your new ATP card. Any leftover stored value balance can be transferred from the old card to your new card.