Getting around by bus
A practical guide to Prince George Transit: fares, Umo, passes, handyDART, free-ride days, trip planning and service alerts.
Updated
At a glance
- Prince George Transit is operated by BC Transit in partnership with the City.
- A single adult ride is $2.75, a DayPASS is $5.50, and a 30-day adult pass is $65.
- Kids 12 and under ride free. Seniors and youth pay $55 for a 30-day concession pass.
- Transit is free on general voting days for local, provincial and federal elections (not advance voting days).
- handyDART offers door-to-door accessible service for people who can’t use regular buses without help.
Prince George’s bus system is run by BC Transit in partnership with the City. The City helps fund it and sets local priorities. BC Transit handles schedules, fares, trip planning and customer service.
Plan a trip
- Trip planner, schedules and maps: BC Transit’s Prince George page. Google Maps and several third-party apps also use BC Transit’s real-time data.
- Service alerts: detours, cancellations and holiday schedules are posted on BC Transit’s alerts page for Prince George. Check it on snowy days.
BC Transit and the City brought in a fall service and fare change on September 6, 2026. If you’re using an old printed schedule, check it against the current one.
Fares
BC Transit’s current Prince George fares:
| Rider | Single ride | DayPASS | 30-day pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (19–64) | $2.75 | $5.50 | $65 |
| Senior (65+) | $2.75 | $5.50 | $55 (concession) |
| Youth (13–18) | $2.75 | $5.50 | $55 (concession); $165 semester pass |
| Child (12 and under) | Free | Free | Free |
| handyDART | $2.75 | — | — |
A handyDART attendant rides free. Concession passes may require ID.
How to pay
BC Transit uses Umo in Prince George. Load fare onto the Umo app on your phone or a reloadable Umo card. BC Transit’s How Fares Work page covers cash and other options.
Programs that lower the cost
- U-PASS: eligible post-secondary students get unlimited rides through a pass included in their fees and loaded onto Umo. Ask your school’s student services whether you qualify. See schools and post-secondary.
- BC Bus Pass: a low-cost annual pass for eligible low-income seniors and people receiving provincial disability assistance.
- ProPASS and EcoPASS: employer and organization programs.
Free ride days
The City sponsors several free-fare days. Details and exact dates are announced each year.
- Election days: free on general voting days for local, provincial and federal elections, referendums and by-elections. Advance voting days aren’t included. In fall 2026 that means October 17 (municipal) and October 24 (provincial). See election 2026.
- National Seniors Day, October 1: free for riders 65+ with valid ID.
- Clean Air Day: the Wednesday of Environment Week in June.
- GoByBike Week: registered participants ride free by showing their helmet.
- Food for Fare: over three days in December, ride free by donating a non-perishable food item to local food banks. Dates are posted on BC Transit alerts.
handyDART
handyDART is a door-to-door, shared ride for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using regular transit without help.
- Register with BC Transit (free). You’ll need to show you’re eligible.
- Book trips in advance, or set up a standing subscription for regular trips.
- Rides cost the same as a single bus fare, and an attendant rides free.
All regular buses have ramps and priority seating, but mobility devices can only board and exit at accessible stops, marked with a blue-and-white accessibility decal. BC Transit also offers free travel training for new riders, especially seniors. See seniors and accessibility.
School class trips
K–12 teachers can apply for Free Fares for Class to take a class on a field trip by bus. Apply at least two weeks ahead. Trips must run between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on regular routes, with a maximum of 35 people per trip and two trips per class per school year.
Out of town
- Route 161 (Bulkley-Nechako Regional Transit) connects Prince George and Burns Lake. It has separate fares and doesn’t use Umo.
- For highway conditions, use DriveBC.
Where transit is heading
The City and BC Transit’s Transit Future Action Plan (2020) set goals of better service to UNBC and CNC, more off-peak and weekend service, and, in the longer term, service to the airport. Progress is reported to Council; see how council works.
Related: parking, snow and roads, moving to Prince George.
Common questions
How much is the bus in Prince George?
BC Transit lists a single ride at $2.75 and a DayPASS at $5.50 for adults, youth and seniors. A 30-day adult pass is $65, a 30-day concession pass (youth and seniors) is $55, and children 12 and under ride free. Fares changed in September 2026, so check BC Transit for current prices.
Is the bus free on election day?
Yes. The City says transit is free for everyone on general voting days for local, provincial and federal elections, referendums and by-elections. The free ride doesn’t apply on advance voting days.
How do I pay my bus fare?
Use Umo, BC Transit’s digital fare system, with the Umo app or a reloadable Umo card. Check BC Transit’s How Fares Work page for other options.
What is handyDART and who can use it?
handyDART is BC Transit’s shared, door-to-door service for people with a permanent or temporary disability that prevents them from using regular buses without help. You need to register first; registration is free.
Is there a bus from Prince George to Burns Lake?
Yes. Bulkley-Nechako Regional Transit runs Route 161 between Prince George and Burns Lake. It has separate fares and doesn’t use Umo.
Sources
Official links
More in city services
- Moving to Prince George: a new resident checklistA checklist for settling into Prince George: utilities, garbage day, alerts, MSP and a family doctor, ICBC, voting, schools and winter readiness.
- Garbage, recycling and the landfillHow curbside garbage and recycling work in Prince George: cart sizes and costs, set-out times, bear rules and where to take what the cart won’t.
- Water, sewer and sprinkling rulesWhere Prince George tap water comes from, year-round sprinkling rules, frozen pipes, leaks, water meters and what not to flush.
- Property taxes and utility billsPrince George property tax and utility due dates, how to pay, the home owner grant, MyCity accounts, utility rates and what if you fall behind.
- Snow clearing, winter parking and roadsHow Prince George plows its streets, when your road gets cleared, winter parking rules, spring sweeping, road closures and reporting potholes.
- Parking downtown and around the hospitalParking in Prince George: free three-hour street parking, downtown lots and parkades, monthly and residential permits, paying or disputing tickets.
