Gas or groceries? You shouldn’t have to choose

With surging gas prices, the pain at the gas pump is real.

Transportation is the third largest household expense for Canadians after shelter and food, according to Statistics Canada’s most recent Survey of Household Spending (2023). At the same time, new data from United Way Centraide Canada in June 2026 found that 46 per cent of people in Canada could cover their basic living expenses for only one month or less.

Given these realities, rising and unpredictable gas prices are adding even more pressure and stress to already stretched budgets. For many families, even routine transportation costs can mean making difficult choices between getting where they need to go and paying for everyday essentials.

Fortunately, there’s a practical way to avoid having to make that choice.

Try MiWay, Mississauga’s transit system. It’s a simple, reliable and more affordable alternative to the uncertainty of fluctuating gas prices. Whether you’re travelling within Mississauga or connecting to destinations across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), MiWay can help get you there for less.

With almost 70 routes and more than 3,000 stops, MiWay’s transit network provides extensive service across the city. Thirteen major corridor routes operate every 15 minutes or better on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., providing frequent and convenient service throughout the morning commute and workday.

These major corridor routes connect to popular places in the city, such as Square One, GO stations, University of Toronto Mississauga, Westwood Square and Kipling station, helping riders get where they need to go whether commuting to work or medical appointments, shopping and other daily destinations, both within Mississauga and across the region.

Pay a fixed fare or ride for free. No surprises.

Every dollar not spent at the gas pump can be used toward essentials like food, clothing, rent or mortgage payments.

According to the 2026 Canada’s Food Price Report produced by Dalhousie University, the average family of four is expected to spend about $17,600 annually on groceries, more than $338 a week. At the same time, the volatile nature of gas prices can make it challenging to budget properly. Recent studies show that the average annual cost of car ownership can be more than $16,000 when gas, maintenance, insurance, car payments and parking are taken into account.

In contrast, the cost of a PRESTO MiWay adult monthly pass is $145 for unlimited trips, less than the price of filling the average gas tank twice. Unlike gas, MiWay fares are fixed no matter the destination, so you’ll know what you need to pay for every trip.

PRESTO offers the lowest fares on MiWay

Save more with a PRESTO card (digital or physical):

• Children (ages six to 12): free
• Youth (ages 13 to 19): $2.90 per ride
• Adults: $3.50 per ride
• Seniors 65+: free
• Veterans and CAF members: free

Riders can add a free digital PRESTO card or purchase a physical card for $4 from a customer service outlet.

• Set the fare type on your PRESTO card to Child (ages six to 12), Youth (ages 13 to 19), Senior (ages 65 and older) or Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) by visiting a customer service outlet and showing proof of age or ID.
• PRESTO cards that are not set up with a specific fare type will be charged the $3.50 Adult PRESTO single fare.

Paying by cash? It’s $4.50 per ride for youth, adults and seniors.

MiWay offers additional options to reduce the cost to get around:

• PRESTO Loyalty Program: Ride free for MiWay for the remainder of the week (Monday to Sunday) once you’ve paid for 11 rides in the same week using your PRESTO card.
• Affordable Transit Program: Eligible adult and youth riders can apply to the Region of Peel’s program to save 50 per cent on PRESTO monthly passes and single fares based on income.

Skip the drive, not the destination

MiWay makes it easy to travel beyond Mississauga, connecting riders to major regional hubs, including Kipling station, GO stations and employment districts across the city, including the airport. With convenient connections across the GTHA, riders can reach work, school, appointments and other destinations without the added expense and uncertainty of gas prices, highway traffic or parking costs.

With a PRESTO card, MiWay riders can transfer for free to and from the TTC, GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Oakville Transit, Durham Region Transit or York Region Transit.

Even one fewer trip driving your car each week can help reduce transportation costs, lessen wear and tear on the vehicle and make travelling around the GTHA less stressful.

Find out about MiWay schedules, routes and fares to plan for your next trip.

Tags

• MiWay and Transit
• Roads and Traffic
• Transportation