SOCAN tariff for trains and buses (2026–28)

Summary#

The Copyright Board published SOCAN Tariff 13.C (2026-2028) on October 11, 2025. It sets royalties for playing recorded music in railroad trains, buses and similar public conveyances (not aircraft or passenger ships): $1.46 per passenger per year, with a minimum annual royalty of $87.37.

What it does#

• Applies to the performance and the communication to the public by telecommunication of recorded music in railroad trains, buses and other public conveyances, excluding aircraft and passenger ships, for 2026 to 2028.
• Sets the royalty at $1.46 per person per year, calculated from the authorized passenger capacity of each car, bus or other conveyance.
• Requires a minimum annual royalty of $87.37 per car, bus or conveyance.
• Requires the user to report authorized passenger capacity and pay the royalty to SOCAN on or before January 31 of each year covered by the tariff.
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit the user’s records on reasonable notice during normal business hours to check reports and payments.
• Charges interest on late payments at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate as published by the Bank of Canada, calculated daily and not compounded.
• States that amounts are exclusive of any federal, provincial or other taxes or levies.

Who's affected#

• Owners and operators of railroad trains, buses and other public conveyances who play recorded music to passengers (does not apply to aircraft or passenger ships).
• SOCAN and the music creators and publishers it represents (as the tariff sets amounts payable to SOCAN).
• Passengers and the public only indirectly — through potential business decisions by operators about onboard music, costs, or fares.

Why it matters#

• It tells transport operators how much they must pay and when if they provide recorded music to passengers.
• The fixed per-passenger rate and the minimum fee mean small vehicles or low-usage services could face a noticeable annual charge.
• Operators may need to add a new administrative step (reporting passenger capacity and arranging payments) and handle audits and interest on late payments.
• For the public, the main effects would be indirect: possible changes in onboard entertainment, costs passed to fares, or clearer compensation for music creators.