At some restaurants, kids eat for free.
On transit, it’s the same deal — starting on Sept. 1 for kids 12 and under.
"Free transit for children 12 and under makes life more affordable for families," said Premier John Horgan, in a statement. "Taking public transit is a great choice. It offers a cleaner, low-carbon way of getting around that works for people, communities and the environment. The 'Get on Board' program will also encourage a new generation of transit riders."
For example, a family who buys their child a $57 monthly TransLink pass for a year would save more than $687.
TransLink estimates that approximately 370,000 children 12 and under throughout B.C. will be eligible to ride for free when the program is launched.
To help build awareness for the upcoming launch of this program, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has released an official logo featuring the slogan "Get on Board - Kids 12 and Under Ride Free."
Depending on the mode of public transit and service provider (TransLink or BC Transit), there are slight differences in the program's initial rollout.
For TransLink fare-gated services (such as SkyTrain, SeaBus, and the West Coast Express), accompaniment by a fare-paying customer will be required to tap children aged 12 and under, and riding free of charge through the fare gates, up to a maximum of four children.
Children 12 and under will continue to be able to access the gated systems by themselves with the purchase of a fare to tap through the gates.
Children 12 and under who are registered HandyDART customers or children who are accompanying a registered HandyDART customer will be able to travel for free on HandyDART without requiring a fare product or identification.
Starting Sept. 1, 2021, children under 12 may apply to register as a HandyDART customer. To be eligible to register for HandyDART, children must be unable to take conventional transit due to a disability. Children on HandyDART must be accompanied by an adult.
