ECHO program

What is the ÉCHO program?

The ÉCHO program is a social fare for Gatineau residents whose annual income is below the low-income cut-off, including social assistance recipients and newcomers who arrived in Canada within the previous 12 months.

Pay less to take the bus

• a saving of $51 off the regular $1.10 monthly fare per trip;
• available with a personalized (with photo) Multi card:
  • for paratransit customers
    • cash payment option available
  • for regular system customers
    • entitled to use on STO and OC Transpo buses.

Who is eligible for the ÉCHO program?

Documents required depending on your status

Newcomers in Canada

To be considered a newcomer:

• you must have arrived in Canada within the previous 12 months
• if you arrived more than 12 months ago, refer to the Social assistance recipient or Person whose annual family income is under the low-income cut-off sections.
   

Required documents:

1. The ÉCHO program application form filled out online or in printable format.
2. A copy of the Confirmation of Permanent Residence issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
   OR
3. A copy of both sides of the Canada Permanent Resident Card.
   OR
4. A copy of the Refugee Protection Identity Document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada;

Person whose annual family income is below the low-income cut-off

1. The ÉCHO program application form filled out online or in printable format. 
2. A copy of the latest GST/HST credit notice.

Processing your application

• You must provide all required documents before your application will be processed by the STO.
• Approval may be instantaneous for social assistance recipients and newcomers.
• It takes approximately two weeks to process low-income cut-off applicants.
• If you are a new customer, be sure to have a piece of ID on you. If you have a MULTI card, bring it with you.

Re-applying

• Approvals are valid for 12 months, and are renewable annually.
• One month before the approval expires, fill out an ÉCHO program enrolment or renewal form.
• Provide photocopies of the required documents.
• Please note that you can only apply once as a newcomer.
• For timelines, refer to the confirmation letter or email, or contact us at 819-770-3242.

Payment methods and fares

Regular system customers

1. Monthly enrolment with the Multi card
   • Fare: $62.00* per month
   • Unlimited trips for one month
   • Can be reloaded: 
     • online 48 hours before your next trip;
     • at any STO service point;
        or
     • at any STO point of sale.
2. E-wallet on the Multi card
   • Load money onto your Multi card 
     • online 48 hours before your next trip;
     • at any STO service point; or
     • at any STO point of sale.
   • Minimum deposti of $10 each time you load
   • Pass your Multi card over the reader on the bus
   • Transfers is automatically generated and is valid for two hours

Paratransit customers 

• Fare: $2.80* per trip
• Cash payment accepted given that paratransit vehicles do not have a reader.

Regular vs. ÉCHO fares

* Fares subject to change without notice.

Low-income cut-off set by the Government of Canada

Contact us 

By email: echo@sto.ca
By phone: 819-770-3242.
In person: at any STO service point.

Reference documents (in French only)

• Summary of the positive results of the first year of the ECHO Program 
• Presentation of the first ECHO report
• Press conference