Hamilton residents between 65 and 80 years of age can can buy seniors passes to pay their fares when boarding Hamilton Street Railway buses. And, Hamilton residents 80 years of age of older can ride the buses free of fare — if they have a valid Golden Age transit pass.

Seniors Pass

Your seniors pass expires Monday, April 30, so you’ll have to get a new one before then if you want to use the pass to pay your fare when you board an HSR bus.

You can renew your pass for $205 starting Tuesday, April 10, but you must renew on or before Monday, May 7. You can mail in your renewal, or, visit the HSR Ticket Office in the Hamilton GO Centre, 35 Hunter Street East, Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Golden Age Pass

The HSR has set up special sites where you can apply for, and receive, your 2012 passes. You’ll have to bring your current passes with you, along with proof of your address and date of birth.

If you can’t attend, a caregiver can attend on your behalf with your current Golden Age Bus Pass.

You can apply for the passes at:

• MacNab Terminal, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Monday April 2 until Thursday, April 5, Tuesday, April 10 until Friday, April 13, and Monday, April 16 until Friday, April 20.
• Hamilton City Hall and other Municipal Centres, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays (except for statutory holidays), Tuesday, April 2 until Monday, April 30.
• Lime Ridge Mall, lower level, beside Sears, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday, April 23 until Friday, April 27.

If you just became 80 this year, then, as a first-time Golden Age Pass applicant, you must visit the HSR Ticket Office in the Hamilton GO Centre, 36 Hunter Street East, Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., with proof of your age and your residency in Hamilton.

HSR staff will issue a photo ID card for you to use immediately. These Golden Age Passes are free of charge and available year-round.