Several Ride CK transit fares and pass prices will increase July 1 as part of Chatham-Kent’s phased approach to balancing transit affordability and long-term sustainability.
The fare adjustments primarily affect smartcard products and selected cash fares across the municipality’s transit network.
Riders using a Cash Pass will continue to receive discounted fares, paying $2.32 on all Chatham urban services and Wallaceburg urban services. On Chatham’s fixed routes during off-peak hours, the fare will remain $1.91. Inter-urban routes will cost $4.36 when using a Cash Pass.
The 30-Day Urban Pass for adults will increase by $1.53 to $83.98, while passes for seniors aged 65 and older and students aged six to 17 will increase by $1.20 to $65.98. The pass provides access to all Ride CK urban services in Chatham and Wallaceburg, including specialized transit.
The 30-Day Urban Pass offered through the Affordable Bus Pass Program for low-income residents will increase by $0.76 to $41.99. The pass is valid on all Chatham and Wallaceburg urban transit services, including specialized transit.
The Semester Pass will remain unchanged at $164.90 per semester. The pass provides unlimited travel on all Ride CK services, including inter-urban routes, and is available to students enrolled at St. Clair College’s Thames Campus and the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus who hold valid student identification for the current academic year.
Children aged five and under will continue to ride free when accompanied by a paying passenger.
Among cash fares, the exact cash fare for inter-urban conventional transit services will increase by 25 cents to $5.50. Exact cash fares for Chatham and Wallaceburg specialized urban transit services, as well as demand-responsive urban transit services, will remain unchanged at $2.75.
Transit riders can purchase or reload smart cards online in addition to visiting municipal centres. Riders who do not have a credit card can still register their smart card online to a personal account, providing protection in the event the card is lost or stolen.
