Free 2019-20 Kingston Transit High School Bus Passes Available Now

Published on: 2019/08/14 - in Releases

RELEASE — Starting Aug. 14, all Grade 9 through 12 students in Kingston will be able to renew or sign-up for their free Kingston Transit bus pass for the upcoming 2019-20 academic school year.

“Free bus passes for high school students give youth an opportunity to work, volunteer and participate in community events giving them a greater connection to the Kingston community at large,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “The success of this initiative can be seen every day when you see buses full of high school students – starting with our youth, we are creating a new transit culture in Kingston.”

Students attending public, separate, and private schools or receiving a home-based education are eligible for the free pass. The high school Kingston Transit pass will be valid from Sept. 1 until the end of Aug. 2020.


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“We started this pilot program in 2012 with just Grade 9 students. In that year, more than 28,000 trips had been taken by Grade 9 students. Over the course of seven years, the program has grown to now include Grade 9-12 students. In the 2018-19 school year alone, high school students accounted for roughly 425,000 rides,” says Jeremy DaCosta, director, transit and fleet services. “We are excited to both renew the existing bus passes of Kingston high school students, and to offer this opportunity for a whole a new cohort of Grade 9 students.”

The current 2018-19 student pass can be used until Sept. 15 to allow students a period of time to renew. Eligible students can begin using their 2019-20 passes on Sept. 1. Kingston Transit will visit each high school in the area on the following dates to issue Grade 9 passes and to complete a complimentary transit training session. Grade 10-12 students can also renew their passes on these select dates.

  • Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School – Aug. 27
  • Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School – Aug. 28
  • Kingston Collegiate & Vocational Institute – Aug. 29 (Grade 9 students only), Sept. 10 (Grade 10-12 students)
  • École Secondaire Catholique Marie-Rivier – Sept. 16
  • École Secondaire Publique Mille-Iles – Sept. 11
  • Frontenac Secondary School – Sept. 18
  • LaSalle Secondary School – Sept. 9
  • Bayridge Secondary School – Sept. 5
  • Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute – Aug. 26 (Grade 9 students only), Sept. 17 (Grade 10-12 students)
  • Ernestown Secondary School – Sept. 19

Private school and home-based education students must contact the Kingston Transit administration office to renew or receive a new bus pass. The office is located at 1181 John Counter Blvd., or call 613-546-4291 ext. 2365. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Grade 9-12 students who wish to receive their pass prior to their school visit should follow the steps below:

Grade 9 students
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1. Download a registration form at: www.KingstonTransit.ca/studentpass (http://www.kingstontransit.ca/studentpass)
2. Bring the filled-in form to City Hall (216 Ontario St.), or the Guest Services Desk at the Cataraqui Centre (945 Gardiners Rd.), along with:

  • a 2019-20 Grade 9 student photo ID card; or
  • a 2019-20 Grade 9 student timetable and a birth certificate.

The initial $3 fee for the photo ID pass is waived for Grade 9 students.

Grade 10, 11 and 12 students
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1. Download a registration form at: KingstonTransit.ca/studentpass
2. Bring the filled-in form to City Hall (216 Ontario St.), or the Guest Services Desk at the Cataraqui Centre (945 Gardiners Rd.), along with:

  • a 2019-20 Grade 10, 11 or 12 student photo ID card; or
  • a previous Grade 9, 10 or 11 transit bus card and a 2019-20 Grade 10, 11 or 12 student timetable; or
  • if you do not have a previous Grade 9, 10 or 11 bus card, bring a 2019-20 Grade 10, 11 or 12 student timetable and a birth certificate.

The $3 fee for a new or replacement card applies to Grade 10, 11 and 12 students.

Those waiting for Sept. 1 to use their free passes are encouraged to explore Kingston Transit’s other fare options at KingstonTransit.ca

For questions concerning this program, please call City of Kingston customer service at 613-546-0000 or email contactus@cityofkingston.ca.


Release source: City of Kingston
Photo source: Limestone District School Board