
Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF)
Last Update: August 1, 2025
Canada
Supports long-term public transit and active transportation infrastructure projects
Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Transportation and warehousing
- Public administration
Grant Providers
- Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Program status
Open
Overview of the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) program
The Canada Public Transit Fund provides up to $3 billion annually starting in 2026-27 to support capital and non-capital projects that enhance public transit and active transportation infrastructure across Canada. The program funds initiatives such as transit expansion, system rehabilitation, planning projects, and the development of active transportation networks.
Financing terms and conditions
- For capital projects: up to 40% of eligible costs covered for projects in the provinces; up to 75% for projects in the territories.
- For non-capital projects: up to 80% of eligible costs covered.
- Federal contribution can reach 100% of eligible costs when combined with the Canada Community-Building Fund, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, or Canada Infrastructure Bank funding.
- Stacking of funds from most other Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) programs is not permitted except as noted above.
Eligible projects & activities
- Expansion, rehabilitation, or replacement of existing public transit infrastructure, such as bus fleets, subway stations, or transit lines.
- Development, extension, or renewal of active transportation infrastructure, including bicycle lanes, walking trails, and pedestrian bridges.
- Planning projects related to the long-term improvement or expansion of public transit or active transportation systems.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 30,000
Developing an accessible website and e-commerce platform for artisans
$ 42,000
Refitting a local bakery with energy-efficient ovens and lighting
$ 34,500
Launching a digital literacy program for seniors using tablets
$ 48,000
Installing advanced composting equipment at a community urban farm
$ 38,200
Equipping a community kitchen to process rescued food for shelters
$ 44,100
Piloting a shared electric cargo bike delivery service downtown
Eligibility criteria of the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) program
- The applicant must be a public transit agency or owner of public transit assets.
- The applicant must have at least three years (preferably five) of data on ridership history, population served, and capital investments.
- The applicant's public transit system must include fixed-route service.
- The applicant must have a historical annual average capital investment of at least $100,000.
- The transit system must serve at least 30,000 annual users.
Who is eligible?
- Municipal or regional administrations
- Public sector organizations established by provincial or territorial legislation or regulations, or owned wholly by provincial, territorial, municipal, or regional governments (e.g., transit agencies)
- Charitable or non-profit organizations incorporated under federal or provincial law
- Provincial or territorial governments
- Indigenous recipients, Indigenous development corporations, or Indigenous charitable organizations
- Private sector or for-profit organizations in partnership with eligible public sector or Indigenous recipients
Who is not eligible
- Applicants that do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements (e.g., lacking sufficient transit ridership data, not operating a fixed route transit service, or not meeting historical capital investment and ridership thresholds).
- Entities unable to provide supporting documentation for eligibility are considered ineligible.
- Applicants seeking to combine funding from most other Infrastructure Canada programs with the Base Funding stream (except for the Canada Community-Building Fund, CMHC, or Canada Infrastructure Bank).
Eligible expenses
- Capital investments for public transit infrastructure, such as extension, rehabilitation, or replacement of existing systems (e.g., bus fleet expansions, subway station upgrades, new tramway lines).
- Capital investments for active transportation infrastructure, including extension, rehabilitation, or replacement of bike paths, trails, and pedestrian bridges.
- Non-capital expenses related to planning activities for public transit or active transportation infrastructure projects.
Eligible geographic areas
- Communities across Canada, including provinces, territories, rural, remote, northern, and Indigenous communities
- Projects located in provinces and territories of Canada
Eligibility criteria of the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) program
- Commitment to conduct a housing needs assessment and define minimum housing expectations for communities over 30,000 residents.
- Commitment to support Canada's plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and consider the project's potential climate impact.
- Provision of progress and results reports in accordance with funding agreements.
- Compliance with applicable codes, standards, environmental assessment requirements, federal laws and regulations, Indigenous consultation and accommodation obligations, and accessibility standards.
How to apply to the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) program
1
Confirm applicant eligibility
- Review minimum eligibility criteria for applicants
- Ensure organization status is acceptable (municipal, public sector, non-profit, Indigenous, etc.)
- Verify existence of a fixed-route transit system with at least 30,000 annual users
- Confirm minimum capital investment history and data availability
2
Develop capital plan
- Prepare a long-term capital plan describing intended use of baseline funding
- Include details for public transit or active transportation infrastructure
- Incorporate planning, expansion, rehabilitation, or replacement projects
3
Assemble supporting documentation
- Gather required documentation supporting eligibility (data records, compliance proof)
- Consult with other responsible organizations if required (e.g., for housing needs assessment)
- Ensure project alignment with climate and accessibility requirements
4
Complete application submission
- Complete the application form for Baseline Funding
- Attach required documents and capital plan
- Review guidelines to ensure completeness
5
Submit application and wait for results
- Submit the completed application by the required deadline
- Await review and notification from program administrators
Additional information
- The Canada Public Transit Fund was shaped in part by a national engagement process involving provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, transit agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Future intake periods for the Baseline Funding stream may open periodically to accommodate newly interested or eligible communities.
- Applicants must ensure that all projects comply with relevant environmental, accessibility, and Indigenous consultation and accommodation requirements.
- Recipients are required to report on progress and outcomes according to the stipulations in the funding agreements.
Apply to this program

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