More than 21,000 Manitoba students have already received free youth transit passes as part of the provincial government’s new affordability initiative, and Brandon families are among those set to benefit.
Premier Wab Kinew announced the program as part of a broader effort to reduce household costs while encouraging greater use of public transit among young people. The initiative will provide free transit access for youth aged 11 to 17, as well as students aged 18 to 21 who are still attending high school.
While the initial rollout is taking place in Winnipeg schools, the program is also being expanded to Brandon, Flin Flon, Winkler and Selkirk. For Brandon families, the move could translate into significant annual savings while making it easier for young people to get to school, work, sports and other community activities.
Based on current Brandon Transit youth pass rates, families could save roughly $400 to $500 per year for each regular transit rider. Households with multiple children who use transit regularly could see even greater savings.
The financial impact is even more pronounced in Winnipeg, where a youth transit pass currently costs $57.70 per month. Under the new program, families will save approximately $692 annually for each eligible youth rider, while a household with two children could save more than $1,300 per year.
“Reliable transportation is essential for student success,” said Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt. She noted the investment will support thousands of Manitoba students while strengthening access to education and community opportunities.
Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard said the program delivers real savings for families while helping young people build confidence using public transit.
Provincial officials say the expansion of free youth transit is designed to make life more affordable for Manitoba families and create a new generation of regular public transit users across communities including Brandon.
