Transit Access Project (TAP)

What Transit Access Project (TAP) does

Transit Access Project (TAP) is a Toronto-based, Ontario-incorporated non-profit organization that conducts community-based research, policy development, and advocacy to improve public transit access for people experiencing homelessness. Founded by four co-founders (Noah Kelly, Rachel Wong, Mona Murphy, Emma Blewett) and operating with a core team of approximately 7-8 people, TAP's primary beneficiaries are unhoused individuals in Toronto who cannot afford transit fares and are cut off from employment, healthcare, housing, and social services. The organization also serves social service and shelter organizations that provide transportation supports to clients, and engages government and transit agencies as policy targets.

TAP's core offerings include the Free Transit Pilot research program (a 2022 three-month study providing free monthly transit passes to 36 youth across three Toronto shelters), the Toronto Transportation Support Survey (conducted in partnership with the City of Toronto's Poverty Reduction Strategy Office), a Bulk PRESTO Ticket Program information resource for community organizations, a Toronto Transit Resources information service cataloging Fair Pass, PRESTO bulk tickets, and OW/ODSP transportation assistance, and ongoing policy advocacy services. Research activities are conducted under University of Toronto Research Ethics Board approval. TAP distributes its research through its website, email newsletter, and partnerships with five Toronto service networks (Toronto Shelter Network, Toronto Drop-In Network, Toronto Local Immigration Partnerships, Violence Against Women Network, and Toronto Mental Health & Addictions Supportive Housing Network).

TAP does not sell products or services; it operates as a non-profit funded through research grants, government partnerships (notably the City of Toronto), and advocacy funding. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market model is community-led: TAP partners with community members, service providers, and government agencies to research and advocate for transportation access programs, rather than pursuing traditional commercial sales or marketing channels. The organization does not develop proprietary technology platforms.

Name

Transit Access Project (TAP)

Legal name

Transit Access Project (TAP)

Website

https://transitaccessprojecttap.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Transit Access Project (TAP) is a Toronto-based non-profit that conducts community-based research and policy advocacy to improve public transit access for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, partnering with shelters, service networks, and the City of Toronto.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Profit Social Services Research and Advocacy

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Transportation, Parking & Mobility Administration (BPAIACAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community & Senior Transportation Shuttles (Dial-a-Ride, Non-ADA) (TLAFAJAI)

Keywords

• Nonprofit research advocacy
• Community based research
• Transit policy advocacy
• Social services research
• Transportation access equity

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Advocacy Funding: As a non-profit organization, TAP operates through research grants, government partnerships, and funding from advocacy work. The organization conducts community-based research funded by grants and partnerships with government agencies like the City of Toronto's Poverty Reduction Strategy Office.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

TAP conducts community-based research, develops policy recommendations, and advocates for improved public transit access for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto. The organization operates research programs such as the Free Transit Pilot and the Toronto Transportation Support Survey, publishes educational resources on available transit discount programs, and engages in policy advocacy with municipal government and transit agencies.

Product overview

Transit Access Project (TAP) is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization (not a technology product company) that operates a portfolio of programs focused on improving transit access for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto. The core offerings include the Free Transit Pilot research program, the Toronto Transportation Support Survey, a Bulk PRESTO Ticket Program for service providers, and a Toronto Transit Resources Information service. These programs are complemented by policy advocacy and research services aimed at influencing government and transit agency decisions on equitable transit access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Free Transit Pilot A three-month community-based research study providing free monthly transit passes to youth experiencing homelessness across three Toronto shelters, evaluating the impact of transit cost on accessibility, quality of life, and rehousing outcomes.
• Toronto Transportation Support Survey A research survey distributed to social service organizations serving people experiencing homelessness or imminent housing insecurity in Toronto, in partnership with the City of Toronto's Poverty Reduction Strategy Office, to assess transportation support availability, funding, and unmet client needs.
• Toronto Transit Resources Information Educational resource cataloging available transit support programs for Torontonians experiencing homelessness, including Fair Pass Transit Discount Program, complimentary PRESTO cards, and OW/ODSP transportation assistance.
• Policy Advocacy Services Research-based advocacy services including community-based research, policy development, and recommendations for equitable transit access programs targeting people experiencing homelessness.

Quantifiable outcome

• 76% of participants struggled to access transit due to cost before intervention
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Three Toronto ShelterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022TAP partnered with three Toronto shelters to conduct the Free Transit Pilot study, providing free monthly transit passes to 36 youth experiencing homelessness. Shelter staff facilitated participant recruitment and data collection.
• City of Toronto's Poverty Reduction Strategy OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAP partnered with the City of Toronto's Poverty Reduction Strategy Office to distribute the Toronto Transportation Support Survey to all social service organizations serving people experiencing homelessness or imminent housing insecurity in Toronto.
• University of Toronto Research Ethics BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Free Transit Pilot research was approved by the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board, enabling TAP to conduct community-based research with human subjects in compliance with research ethics standards.
• Toronto Shelter NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner network for survey distribution to shelter organizations serving people experiencing homelessness in Toronto.
• Toronto Drop-In NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner network for survey distribution to drop-in service organizations serving people experiencing homelessness in Toronto.
• Toronto Local Immigration PartnershipsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner network for survey distribution to immigrant-serving organizations across Toronto.
• Violence Against Women NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner network for survey distribution to violence against women service organizations in Toronto.
• Toronto Mental Health & Addictions Supportive Housing NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner network for survey distribution to mental health and addictions supportive housing organizations in Toronto.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wellesley Institute: Toronto-based policy research organization advancing health equity and evidence-based urban policy. Comparable research-and-advocacy model targeting municipal policymakers, with overlap on equity and urban-systems themes.
• Toronto Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT): Toronto-based charitable organization conducting research, policy development, and public engagement on active and sustainable transportation. Strong peer due to overlapping transit/mobility policy research function and Toronto focus.
• A Poverty Free Toronto: Toronto-based coalition advocating for poverty reduction through evidence-based municipal policy. Strong peer on mission overlap (poverty/homelessness in Toronto) and on the coalition + research + advocacy operating model.
• Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (TAEH): Toronto-based coalition working to end homelessness through systems-level advocacy, research, and policy change with municipal and provincial government engagement. Directly comparable mission scope (homelessness, Toronto, research + advocacy model) even though TAP is transit-specific.
• Social Planning Toronto: Toronto-based nonprofit producing community-based research and policy recommendations on poverty, equity, and social inclusion. Comparable as a small Toronto research-and-advocacy shop targeting municipal decision-makers.
• Cycle Toronto: Toronto-based advocacy nonprofit working on cycling and active transportation infrastructure through policy engagement and community organizing. Closely comparable community-led advocacy model focused on equitable urban mobility.
• Streets Alive Toronto: Toronto advocacy organization promoting walking, cycling, and vibrant streets through education, events, and policy advocacy. Comparable small-team community-led mobility advocacy with similar funding and partnership dynamics.

Others

• Code for Canada: Canadian civic-tech nonprofit pairing technologists with public-interest projects, including government services. Comparable as a small Canadian nonprofit working in evidence-driven service improvement, though with a tech rather than research orientation.

Regional players

• TransitCenter: US-based foundation that funds research and advocacy on equitable public transit. Directly comparable on research-driven transit-equity advocacy, but operates in a different geography (US) and as a funder rather than a direct research producer.

Broad incumbents

• Maytree Foundation: Canadian foundation focused on poverty reduction through policy, evidence, and direct programs. Comparable in mission (poverty reduction) and Canadian geography, but operates at a much larger scale across multiple program areas rather than a single-issue transit focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Transit Access Project (TAP)