On this page

  1. What is Lift Pass?
  2. Where can I use my Lift Pass?
  3. How do I use my Lift Pass to ride Thunder Bay Transit?
  4. Do I need a Lift Pass to ride Thunder Bay Transit?
  5. Do children require a Lift Pass?
  6. Does it cost anything to get a Lift Pass?
  7. Why should I get a Lift Pass?
  8. Where do I buy a Lift Pass?
  9. What happens if I lose my Lift Pass?
  10. How do I register my Lift Pass?
  11. I am an Affordable Bus Pass Program member. What changes for me?
  12. Will you still accept disposable monthly passes and paper tickets?
  13. How do transfers work?
  14. My Lift Pass is defective, what do I do?

 

 

What is Lift Pass?

Lift Pass is Thunder Bay Transit’s new electronic fare payment system that handles all fare media, except for cash fares. It makes paying for transit easy, convenient and secure. Lift Pass allows passengers to load a monthly pass or multi-ride passes onto a reloadable smart card and simply tap the card on the farebox to ride Thunder Bay Transit. Once you get your first Lift Pass you keep using the same card, week after week, month after month.

Where can I use my Lift Pass?

Lift Pass can be used on any Thunder Bay Transit vehicle including Lift+ specialized transit.

How do I use my Lift Pass to ride Thunder Bay Transit?

When boarding the bus, tap your Lift Pass on the farebox, you will hear a beep and see a valid fare message on the farebox.

Tips for tapping your card

  • Take your card out of your wallet. If it’s next to other smartcards, they may interfere with the signal.
  • Hold the card against the farebox until you hear a beep/see the valid fare message.
  • Don’t pull your card away too quickly. You will hear a beep and see the valid fare message if your payment is valid.
  • Wait for the previous transaction to clear when boarding after another passenger. 

 

Do I need a Lift Pass to ride Thunder Bay Transit?

Lift Pass will be replacing the current disposable monthly passes, day passes and 10 ride tickets. Passengers will instead load a monthly pass, day pass, or multi-ride passes onto a Lift Pass card to ride Thunder Bay Transit. 

Cash fare will still be accepted on buses. Cash fare must be exact and in Canadian Currency. Operators cannot make change.

 

Do children require a Lift Pass?

Children aged 5 and under continue to ride for free with a fare paying adult and do not require a Lift Pass. 

Children aged 6-12 continue to ride for free but will require a Lift Pass card which can be obtained from the Transit Office at 570 Fort William Rd. Once the child turns 13 their Lift Pass card automatically converts to a Youth Lift Pass. 

To obtain a Child Lift Pass, proof of age must be provided. Accepted forms of identification are:

  • Government photo ID (i.e. Passport)
  • Birth Certificate

 

Does it cost anything to get a Lift Pass? 

There will be a $5.00 fee to purchase a new reloadable Lift Pass card. The fee will be waived until April 30, 2025. After that, new cards will be sold at $5.00, so passengers are encouraged to get their Lift Pass cards early.

Lost or stolen cards will be subject to a replacement fee of $5.00.

  

Why should I get a Lift Pass?

Lift Pass is a convenient, fast and secure way to pay for your bus fare. Once you have a Lift Pass you can simply purchase rides or passes online, or in person at select locations. With Lift Pass, you also have the option to automatically reload a monthly pass at the beginning of each month so you always have an active pass.

Registering your Lift Pass gives you peace of mind and ensures that your pass or rides are safe if the card is lost or stolen. If your Lift Pass is lost or stolen, and is registered, we can simply transfer your monthly pass or remaining rides to a new card.

  

Where do I buy a Lift Pass?

If you purchase a reduced fare monthly pass (Youth, Senior, Discount) your Lift Pass must be activated at the Transit Office located at 570 Fort William Road. 

To obtain a Youth or Senior Lift Pass, proof of age must be provided. Accepted forms of identification are:

  • Government photo ID (Driver’s License, Photo ID Card, Passport)
  • Birth Certificate

 To obtain a Discount Lift Pass, proof of disability must be provided. Accepted forms of proof are:

  • Valid Transit Accessibility ID Card
  • ODSP statement within the last 3 months
  • CRA Disability Tax Credit
  • Doctor’s letter

If you purchase an Adult monthly pass, day pass or 10 ride tickets you can get your Lift Pass from the Transit Office or select retailers and city locations. 

Once you have your Lift Pass, you will be able to reload it online with a credit card. You will also be able to reload it at select retailers and city locations where cash payment is accepted with electronic payment.

 

What happens if I lose my Lift Pass? 

If your Lift Pass is lost or stolen, and is registered, contact the Transit Administration Office at (807) 684-3744, we can cancel the card and transfer the remaining rides or monthly pass to a new card. There is a $5.00 fee for the replacement card. 

If a lost or stolen card is not registered, you will have to purchase a new Lift pass for $5.00 and purchase a new pass or rides. Without registration there is no way to track who owned a specific card, and therefore, no way to cancel it when lost or stolen.

 

How do I register my Lift Pass? 

If you have internet access, you can register your Lift Pass here. If you do not have access, you can register your card in person at the Transit Office at 570 Fort William Rd., or by phone at (807) 684-3744.

 

I am an Affordable Bus Pass Program member. What changes for me? 

Members of the Affordable Bus Pass Program must get their Lift Pass activated at the Transit Office (570 Fort William Rd.).

Once you have your activated Lift Pass, you can then load your card online or in person at the Transit Office.

The Affordable Bus Pass Program eligibility expires at the end of each calendar year (Dec. 31st). You must apply for the Affordable Bus Pass Program yearly. 

 

Will you still accept disposable monthly passes and paper tickets? Will I need to have my Lift Pass immediately? 

Lift Pass is replacing our current disposable paper tickets and monthly passes. 

Our current disposable monthly passes and paper tickets will be stop being sold April 30, 2025. Afterwards, monthly passes and 10 multi-ride passes will only be sold on a Lift Pass. 

Paper tickets will continue to be accepted on buses until July 31, 2025.

Paper tickets can be exchanged at the Transit Office (570 Fort William Rd.) for Lift Pass rides. For each ticket you exchange, one ride will be added to your Lift Pass.

 

How do transfers work?

A 90-minute transfer is automatically activated on your Lift Pass when paying with a monthly pass, day pass or ride. No additional fare will be deducted from your Lift Pass if you tap again within that 90-minute period.

If you pay cash, you will need to request a paper transfer from the Operator when boarding the bus. Paper transfers will state the expiry date and time. When boarding the bus with a valid paper transfer, simply scan your transfer at the farebox to ride.

 

My Lift Pass is defective, what do I do?

If you believe your Lift Pass is defective, you may exchange your card at no cost if:

  • The Lift Pass is returned to the Transit Administration Office within six (6) months after the date it was issued; and
  • The defect was not the result of misuse, negligence or damage

 

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