Entire Toronto transit line now free to ride for over 460K Canadians

If you're a Canadian veteran or a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), you'll be pleased to hear that you can now ride an entire Toronto transit line for free. 

On Jan. 1, Metrolinx officially began offering complimentary transit services to all veterans and CAF members year-round on the UP Express, which connects Toronto Pearson Airport and Union Station. 

This includes regular and reserve force members, and all you'll need is a permanent Canadian Forces Identification Card, a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran Service Card, or a Temporary National Defence Identification Card. 

Veterans and CAF members don't need to tap their PRESTO card when boarding the UP Express. All you have to do is present a valid form of ID to a fare inspector. If you don't have a Veteran's Service Card, you can apply for one through Veterans Affairs. 

Along with the complimentary service year-round, veterans and CAF members can bring along one companion travel for free on Remembrance Day (Nov. 11) and Warriors' Day (the first Sunday of the Canadian National Exhibition). 

Immediate family members of deceased veterans can also ride for free using documents to identify their relations, such as service papers or an identification card. 

The new program builds on Metrolinx's initiative launched last year that extended free travel year-round to veterans and CAF members on all GO Transit services. 

According to the 2021 Census, there were just over 461,00 Canadians who counted as veterans.