Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF)

Q: How much funding can be received?

Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF)?

Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) is funded by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

Q: Who is eligible for the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) program?

To be eligible for the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) program, you must: • Private sector or for-profit organizations must collaborate with an eligible public sector entity or Indigenous recipient. • The applicant must operate a transit system with fixed-route service and meet minimum operational thresholds. • Must provide supporting documentation proving eligibility and project impact.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF)?

You can contact Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada.

Q: Where is the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) available?

The Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) program is available across Canada.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) program.

Last Update: August 1, 2025

Canada

Supports long-term public transit and active transportation infrastructure projects

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 40% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Transportation and warehousing
Public administration

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

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.

Activities funded

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

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

Selection criteria

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

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

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

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

Complete application submission

Complete the application form for Baseline Funding
Attach required documents and capital plan
Review guidelines to ensure completeness

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

Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.