Ontario Making it Easier and More Convenient to Take Transit

Sep 22

TORONTO — The Ontario government is making it easier and more convenient to take transit across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) by giving riders more ways to pay. Since August, customers have tapped on more than 100,000 times using credit cards on GO, MiWay, Brampton and Oakville Transit.

“Improving the PRESTO fare payment system by allowing riders to simply tap on with their credit cards is yet another example of how our government is bettering the transit experience, respecting taxpayers’ money and helping people get to where they need to go,” said Stan Cho, Associate Minister of Transportation. “Our government is making transit an appealing, convenient and simpler option for people across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.”

Ontario began increasing payment options beyond the PRESTO card in 2021 when it launched payment by credit and debit card as a pilot on UP Express. In August 2022, the province extended the option to pay by credit card, including those cards on a smartphone or smartwatch, to the entire GO Transit network, as well as the Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville transit systems. In 2023, the province will further expand new payment options to more transit agencies across the GTHA, including payment by debit.

“Reaching this milestone so quickly after launch demonstrates the high demand for more contactless payment options across the GO network and local transit systems,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “As a next step, our government will work towards expanding the tap-on credit card payment option across the 905, making it easier and more convenient for commuters in the GTHA to get to work, school, and more.”

The Ontario government is aligning the PRESTO system with best-in-class transit practices from jurisdictions across the world – delivering convenience to riders so that people can get from point A to point B more easily.

QUOTES

“As part of Premier Ford’s commitment to improving customer service for Ontarians, our government is making it easier and more convenient for people to access public transit. Whether you’re getting to work, school, or home, this advancement in our contactless payment system will make it more seamless for thousands of commuters in Mississauga and the GTA who use public transit everyday.”
- Hon. Kaleed Rasheed
Member of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga East-Cooksville

“After a successful launch of our pay with credit option across the GO network and select local systems, including Brampton Transit, our government is now laser-focused on getting the rest of the 905 on board and integrating debit payment beyond UP Express. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, the future of Ontario transit is bright!”
- Hardeep Grewal
Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton East

“Allowing riders to pay with just the tap of a credit card on Oakville Transit and the province’s GO network is yet another way our government under Premier Ford is making transit travel more convenient for riders across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.”
- Stephen Crawford
Member of Provincial Parliament for Oakville

“We are thrilled to see that our customers are adopting these new credit card and digital credit options to pay their fare on GO Transit and the first three local transit agencies. With a tap of their credit card, or the credit card on their smart watch or mobile phone, customers now have even more choice and convenience when choosing public transit.”
- Phil Verster, Metrolinx

QUICK FACTS

Metrolinx through PRESTO is providing new payment methods on GO Transit and select municipal transit systems by offering contactless payment – tapping on with a credit card, including those cards on a smartphone or smartwatch.
Beginning March 14, 2022, the Ontario government made local transit free for riders connecting to and from GO Transit on municipal transit systems with GO Transit and increased PRESTO discounts for youth and post-secondary students to 40 per cent off the full adult fare.
The PRESTO contactless payment pilot launched officially on UP Express in 2021, offering the option to pay with credit cards for UP customers, which was later expanded to include debit cards.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Metrolinx PRESTO - https://www.prestocard.ca/en/about/using-presto

Co-Fare Agreement Annual Customer Savings by Transit Agency - https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1001675/co-fare-agreement-annual-customer-savings-by-transit-agency

Ontario Cutting the Cost of Taking Transit - https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001674/ontario-cutting-the-cost-of-taking-transit