ArcInformation Guide for Seniors

Arc is the Edmonton region’s electronic farepayment system. Transit riders can use Arccards or single-use Arc tickets to pay
for their transit trips by tapping their card(or ticket) on fare validators when getting
on and off buses and the LRT.
Arc can be used on seven neighbouring transit systems,including Beaumont, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan,Leduc, Spruce Grove, St. Albert and Strathcona County.
With Arc, discounted fares are only available by using theArc card. Seniors (ages 65+ years) are encouraged to usethe Arc card for transit to receive the seniors’ fare.

Why use Arcllllll

Arc provides many benefits to transit riders.
You pay for the transit trips as you take them(pay-as-you-go).
Arc cards are reusable and can be reloaded with funds.
You no longer need to buy monthly transit passes or ticket 		packs or have exact change to pay for transit trips.
You do not need to pay upfront for a transit pass.
When you reach your region’s daily, monthly or annual 		senior fare caps - which is the same price you pay for aday, monthly or annual transit pass - you can ride for the 		
rest of that calendar day, month or year for free.
You can add as little as $4 - or as much as you need - to 		your Arc account using credit, debit or cash.
When you create an Arc account, you can apply for yoursenior fare, check your card balance, add funds to your 		
card and protect your card balance in case it gets lostor stolen.

2Arc card

Arc cards are convenient, reloadable transit fare cards you
can use to pay your fares by tapping on and off buses andLRT across the Edmonton region. With Arc, money is stored
in a secure online account, not on the card.

Front side of an Arc card			

Back side of an Arc card

Arc single-use ticket

Arc tickets act like temporary Arc cards and are used in thesame way as an Arc card. You can purchase 90-minute or
24-hour single-use Arc tickets for local travel or commuter
services across the Edmonton region. The clock on theticket starts from the moment you first tap it on a farevalidator. Just like with Arc cards, you must tap on and off
buses and LRT when using your Arc ticket. The price of an
Arc ticket is the equivalent of cash fare and there are nodiscounts on Arc tickets.

Front side of an Arc ticket		

Back side of an Arc ticket

3Arc validators
Arc fare validators (or card readers) are machines whereyou tap your Arc card or single-use ticket to pay your fareon buses and at LRT stations. The validators are locatedby the front and back doors of buses and at entry points
of proof of payment areas in LRT stations. In addition totapping on when entering a bus or LRT station, riders alsoneed to tap off when exiting the bus or LRT station. Doingso provides the Arc system with the information it needs
to calculate your fare correctly.

Arc fare validator on a bus

Arc fare validator atan LRT station

Arc fare vending machines
You can purchase an Arc card or single-use tickets, add
money to your account and check your transaction history
at these machines. Arc fare vending machines are locatedat all LRT stations and select transit centres.

Transit rider using an Arc fare vending machine4

ETS Senior Annual Pass Program
Senior fare riders in Edmonton who pay regular fareno longer need to apply to ETS to receive a seniors’
regular annual transit pass. Instead, they will receive
an annual fare cap of $385 which is the same priceas the annual pass. Once they reach this amount they
can ride transit for the rest of the year for free.
Seniors who participate in the subsidized ETS seniorannual pass program (free and $139, dependent
on income level) will still be required to apply forthe program.
For more information about Arc and the ETS seniors
annual pass program, visit edmonton.ca/seniorfares.

Getting started with Arc

The discounted senior fare is only available with anArc card. To ensure you are charged the correct seniordiscounted fare, you will need to create an Arc account,register your Arc card and add your senior fare profile.

5Follow These Steps (1-2-3) To Get Started With Arc!

For your convenience, we offer different options on how you can complete each step.
For example, if you are not online or do not have an email address, you can get help
over the phone by calling the Arc call centre or by visiting a regional service centre.
STEPSTO TAKEOPTIONS
Call Arc callcentre
Visit a1-888-302-0001 service centreStaff will help
(toll-free)
Agent will help at the counter
over the phone

Three steps

Go online atmyArc.ca

1. Get anArc card444

2. Set up yourArc accountwith yoursenior fareprofile*444

3. Add money
to your Arcaccount*444

Use an Arc
vendingmachine

Visit an Arc
retailer444

4

Note: To set up your Arc account online you will need an Arc card and an email
address. For detailed instructions on how to complete this step online, visit myArc.ca.
Arc accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express or debit. You can also pay with cash
at all regional in-person service centres and at select Arc fare vending machines.
For locations, visit myArc.ca or call the Arc call centre at 1-888-302-0001 (toll-free).

6You are ready to use Arc once you have completed all three steps
1. Get an Arc card
2. Set up your Arc account and senior fare profile
3. Add money to your accountWhat is fare cappingand how does it work
Arc uses fare caps to makesure transit riders do not pay
more than their eligible fare.
A fare cap is the maximum
amount a transit rider can be
charged in a day, month oryear in their region, based on
their fare type. For each trip
you take using your Arc card,
the fare paid contributes to afare cap. When you reach themaximum amount (cap) for
your fare type, you can ridetransit free for the rest of thatday, month or year.

IN EDMONTON:
You pay $2.75
for a 90-minutetrip, includingtransfers

Once you pay$10.25 in fares
in a single day

You ride FREE
for the rest ofthe day

Once you pay atotal of $35 infares in a single
calendar month

You ride FREE
for the rest of
the monthOnce you pay$385 in fares
throughout thecalendar year
(January 1 toDecember 31)

You ride FREE
for the rest of
the year

Each participating region has its own fare caps.
For more information on fare caps and regional fare rates, visit myArc.ca.
With Arc, you will no longer need to apply and pay for your transit pass upfront.
Instead, you pay-as-you-go until you reach a daily, monthly or annual fare cap.

7

211

Questions?
Contact us myArc.ca
or call 1-888-302-0001 (toll-free)8