Presto card

In 2002, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), in conjunction with GO Transit and GTHA municipalities, began investigating the merit of a regional fare card. In October 2006, the Ministry of Transportation signed a 10-year, $250-million contract with Accenture to design, develop and operate the base Presto system for the GTHA.[5] Two major transit agencies, OC Transpo and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), agreed to adopt the fare card system in 2007 and 2009 respectively. The larger anticipated userbase prompted the MTO to decide on developing a new system, called Presto Next Generation (PNG). Auditor General of Ontario criticized this move, suggesting that the base Presto system should have been expanded to accommodate OC Transpo and the Toronto Transit Commission.[5]

Thales Group and Accenture were awarded the contract to supply this system in October 2009. Implementation is the responsibility of Metrolinx, of which Presto became an operating division in 2011.

The Presto project was strongly criticized by the Auditor General of Ontario in 2012 for "roll-out glitches, cost escalations and untendered contract extensions" and warned the system could become the world's most expensive fare-card implementation project.[5][6][7] Instead of putting the development Presto Next Generation out to competitive tender, Metrolinx simply increased the size of the original base contract awarded to Accenture in 2006. By 2012, the cost of the system ballooned to $700 million.[8]

The Presto rollout on the TTC's surface transit fleet have been marred with abnormally high failure rates of the readers themselves[9] and cost overruns.[10] A TTC position paper noted that faulty Presto card readers used by fare inspectors on the proof-of-payment streetcar system was making it "difficult to get customers to comply with inspections" and costing the TTC in lost fare revenue.[11]

A 3 June 2017 story in the Toronto Star first reported that customers' Presto travel histories were provided to police authorities 12 times in the previous year, with a warrant having been required for only two of those disclosures and customers typically not having been notified that their records had been shared.[12] The figures were confirmed by Metrolinx in later reports, stating that they had granted 12 of 26 requests received from various police agencies.[13] In response to calls for reforming the data sharing system from experts and transit riding advocates, Metrolinx launched a formal review of its privacy policies.[14]

The rollout of the fare system and accompanying replacement fare gates on the TTC's subway network was met with poor reliability[15][16] and issues with processing transactions. Presto was forced to use its existing software back-end for other municipal transit partners that have completed the roll-out, as the TTC has yet to develop its own dedicated infrastructure to process the larger volume of transactions it typically handles.[17] The new fare gates suffered from persistent mechanical and software problems, prompting the TTC to suspend the rollout for a month to work with the contractor, Scheidt & Bachmann, to resolve reliability issues.[18] As a result, over 2,000 motors on more than 1,000 gates had to be replaced in addition to numerous hardware and software updates.[19] The June 2018 deadline for the complete roll-out of Presto for the TTC will be further pushed to 2019 due to these ongoing issues, prompting a delay in the phasing out of cash fares, tokens and other legacy fare media.[20] As a result, the TTC will face higher fare collection costs as it incurs "transitional costs" of operating parts of Presto and the legacy fare regimes concurrently over the next few years.[21][22] A situation TTC board member John Campbell describes as "totally inefficient".[23]

In its annual report released in 2018, Metrolinx indicated it expected the cost of the Presto system to reach $1.2 billion, with $1 billion already spent in the development and implementation the system between 2002 and March 2018.[24] While Presto was designed for complex fare transactions between GTA transit agencies, up until the fourth quarter of 2019, the system on TTC buses was not able to support the payment of special surcharges for TTC express downtown buses and TTC trips that enter Mississauga and York Region where a Miway or YRT fare was required. As of late 2018, the TTC Presto system at large continues to experience abnormally high failure rates.[25] This led to an estimated loss of at least $3.4 million in revenue in 2018 alone according to the TTC.[26] The 2018 Audit Work Plan by the auditor general of Ontario noted that the number of reports of Presto collection machines not functioning properly is likely under-counted and a breakdown in communication between Metrolinx, the TTC, and two of its vendors led to operational issues. This included a finding that over half the "out-of-service" incidents raised for the fare vending machines on the TTC's new Flexity streetcars are "coin or token box full" errors, the root cause being miscommunication between the TTC and Metrolinx on coin and token collection leading to the vending machines not being emptied frequently enough.[27]

In early 2018, Metrolinx detailed a plan to increase transit ridership by use of a mobile app (available for Android and iOS devices) which it released to the public for testing in beta version in late 2018. The app will eventually allow transit users to pay directly from their mobile device.[28][29][30]

Presto cards are available to purchase at most Shoppers Drug Mart stores, transit centres in the GTHA and Ottawa, over the phone and online.[31] Beginning in Stage 3, cardholders will also be able to load passes for up to three transit systems at a time on to their Presto card. When boarding, riders tap the prepaid card, embedded with an RFID chip, on to a reader. The reader will then check for either a valid transit pass, or automatically deduct the lowest available fare from the card's balance stored in its e-purse ("stored balance"). GO Transit and Union Pearson Express (UP Express or UPX) riders – whose fares are calculated by distance – and those riding TTC buses which travel into the City of Mississauga or York Region – which require an extra fare to be paid when crossing the fare zone boundaries – must also tap their cards at the end of a trip.

Presto readers show a large white check mark on a green background (if accepted) or a large white "X" on a red background (if declined), accompanied by one of several messages. For monthly, weekly and single-day transit passes, the expiry date is shown. For a stored-balance fare at initial tap-on, the reader shows the fare deducted, balance remaining, and transfer period allowed. For subsequent taps within the transfer window, the transfer time remaining is shown. GO Transit and Union Pearson Express readers, at both tap-on and tap-off, also shows much of the same information as those of a local system for a stored-balance fare at initial tap-on.

Loyalty programs are also available on some transit systems, where frequent use of the system results in greater discounts on fare payment.

The Presto card works on several transit systems and has other features:

• Autoload: The autoload feature allows cardholders to have a predetermined value automatically loaded onto their Presto card, when the stored balance value reaches a specified threshold. It will charge the cardholder's credit or debit card.
• Autorenew, for monthly passes: Six days before the end of each month, the next month's pass is automatically loaded onto the card. The new pass becomes effective the first day of the new month. Payment is charged as for an autoload.
• Lost card replacement: If a registered cardholder loses their Presto card, they can have their lost card blocked immediately upon reporting the loss, and the remaining balance transferred to a replacement card.
• Underpayment allowance: If a registered card has insufficient funds to pay a fare, but the balance is greater than $0 and has sufficient funds to cover the minimum base fare, the cardholder can incur a negative balance for one trip for a fee of $0.25.
• Transit usage reports: Through an online account, a user can track transit usage, customize the data, and download it to a spreadsheet in CSV format.

A Braille letter "P" was placed on the Presto card to help distinguish it from other cards in a wallet, after consultation with feedback from visually impaired customers.[32]

Presto cards purchased from the Presto website or from automated self-service vending machines in TTC, GO Transit and UP Express stations are set to the adult fare rates. For concessionary fares (such as child, senior, youth or post-secondary student), one must present the Presto card at either a transit centre or at some Shoppers Drug Mart locations with appropriate identification to have the concession fare rate set.

In was announced in mid-2023 that a digital version of Presto will be coming to Google Wallet.[33]

Presto card readers and self-serve vending machine at Oriole GO Station

Presto card readers and self-serve vending machine at Victoria Park station

The following transit service providers use Presto:

• Brampton Transit
• Burlington Transit
• Durham Region Transit
• GO Transit
• Hamilton Street Railway
• MiWay
• Oakville Transit
• OC Transpo (Ottawa)
• Toronto Transit Commission
• Union Pearson Express
• York Region Transit

Participating transit systems have different fares and fare policies when using the Presto card compared to traditional fare media; generally, passengers receive a discount using Presto compared to cash fares. The implementation of the Presto card has also unified the fare categories of GO Transit and local transit agencies, with local transit agencies adopting the GO Transit standard: local transit agencies used to have different age limits for child and senior fares and different types of students that may use student fares (some excluding post-secondary students while others do not). Registered Presto card holders are assessed the senior or child fares as appropriate. Student fare classification must be activated by the card-issuing transit authority through its normal procedures, which differ between transit systems. For example, post-secondary student fares are classified as students in only GO Transit and MiWay, while the rest classify them under the adult category.

Presto reader at Unionville GO Station

Other Presto card fare notes:

• Durham Region Transit: DRT/GO Bus integration is not supported with the Presto card. Passengers taking a GO Transit route where DRT fare media is accepted will be charged GO Transit fares.
• GO Transit: Fares for adult and student passengers between two fare zones are reduced to levels comparable to that of 10-ride tickets formerly offered by GO Transit. The loyalty discount system is in place where passengers frequently travelling between two fare zones will receive further discounts after 30 (student) or 35 trips (adult) in a single month, so the fare paid per month never exceeds that of the corresponding GO Transit monthly pass. Fares for senior passengers do not receive a further discount beyond the same 50% of adult (ticket) prices offered via traditional fare media. See GO Transit fares for more information.
  • Passengers connecting to local transit from GO Transit will only be assessed the co-fare, if applicable, on the Presto card if the GO Transit trip was also assessed to the Presto card; the full local fare will be assessed otherwise. Passengers connecting to GO transit from local transit will have their co-fare discounts assessed when disembarking from their GO Transit trips.
• Hamilton Street Railway: GO Transit co-fares are done differently for Presto card holders compared to holders of traditional fare media. Passengers transferring to HSR from GO Transit will receive a $1.60 discount on the HSR fare, while passengers transferring to GO Transit from HSR will also receive a $1.60 discount on the GO Transit fare.
• OC Transpo (Ottawa): Presto cards registered to addresses in Quebec may not use the Presto card when boarding OC Transpo buses, as per existing residency policies between OC Transpo and STO; STO fare media (including the STO Passe-Partout PLUS Card) must be used instead.
  • The "free fares for Seniors category on Wednesdays" is not enforced by Presto systems; a full fare will be assessed. Seniors riding OC Transpo buses on Wednesdays are encouraged to avoid tapping their Presto cards therein, unless intending to transfer to STO buses.

Presto card readers at Finch subway station. Legacy turnstiles like these were replaced with new paddle-door faregates at subway stations across the TTC subway system.

• Toronto Transit Commission: As of January 2018, the TTC has implemented the Presto card machines at all 75 subway stations, and on-board all TTC conventional buses and streetcars. There are no free transfer privileges for Presto card holders when transferring to or from other neighbouring Presto-enabled Greater Toronto Area transit services (such as Miway, Brampton Transit, York Regional Transit GO Transit, Union Pearson Express and Durham Regional Transit), meaning a full fare is charged when transferring between these agencies. Since 26 August 2018, there is also a 2-hour time-based transfer window available to Presto card or ticket holders who pay single fares using their stored card or ticket balance; with this transfer, customers are entitled to unlimited travel for two hours across the TTC network, from their first tap of the Presto card or ticket, and have the ability to enter and exit any TTC vehicle (bus or streetcar) or subway station and/or switch directions without having to pay another fare. Unlike the other Greater Toronto transit agencies, the time-based transfer is currently not available for those who carry TTC paper transfers; these are good for a continuous one-way trip with no stopovers or backtracking permitted.[91]

Viva OneRide and Presto machines at a Vivastation

• York Region Transit: YRT Express fare supplements are automatically deducted.
  • YRT fares are assessed when boarding Züm buses in York Region due to fare integration with Viva Orange, even though both YRT and Brampton Transit fare media are accepted for Züm buses in York Region. Passengers holding a Brampton Transit period pass will not be assessed a fare when boarding a Züm bus in York Region, but will be assessed a fare for boarding Viva Orange. As Viva Orange is on a proof-of-payment system while Züm buses are pay-as-you-board, it does not matter whether fares are deducted at the Vivastation vending machine or on board a Züm bus, except in the case of Brampton Transit period pass holders.
  • Effective 26 August 2019, the Presto card can be used to pay a YRT fare on TTC bus routes that travel in York Region (north of Steeles Avenue), but limited-use TTC Presto tickets are not accepted.

A limited-use, one-ride TTC Presto ticket

A Presto ticket is a single-use, paper ticket with an embedded electronic chip. Like the Presto card, users must tap the Presto ticket on a Presto reader when entering a TTC bus, streetcar or subway station. Unlike the Presto card, the Presto ticket is valid only for TTC services; it cannot be used for any other regional service providers or on TTC bus routes operating outside of the City of Toronto, such as those in York Region (north of Steeles Avenue) and Mississauga (west of Pearson Airport). The Presto ticket is intended for infrequent TTC customers.[2]

There are 3 types of Presto ticket: 1-ride, 2-ride and day pass. Customers can purchase up to 10 Presto tickets at a time from Presto fare vending machines at all TTC subway stations. Unlike Presto cards, Presto tickets do not support concession fares for seniors, students, youth or children. As with Presto cards, there is a 2-hour transfer period for 1- and 2-ride Presto tickets for TTC services. The Presto day pass expires at 2:59 a.m. on the day following the ticket's first use.[2]

A Presto ticket is not reloadable and is meant to be discarded once the travel period has ended. Because of the embedded chip, the ticket is not recyclable. Presto tickets bought by individuals must be used within 90 days of purchase, although service agencies may purchase Presto tickets that can be used up to one year from purchase. All Presto tickets have an expiry date so as not to overload the central computer system that tracks all unexpired Presto tickets. Presto fare vending machines at subway stations have an inquiry feature to check whether a purchased Presto ticket is still valid.[2]

As of July 8, 2019, Presto tickets are available for purchase at all TTC subway stations.[92]

On most GTHA transit systems, customers also have the option to pay their adult single-ride fares by tapping a contactless credit card, debit card (such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Interac) or a mobile device (mobile phone or watch) on a Presto fare reader when or prior to boarding a transit vehicle (and alighting for GO Transit or UP Express) in addition to being able to use the Presto card. UP Express was the first transit service provider with this system on board when it first launched on March 11, 2021.

As of August 15, 2023, open contactless credit and debit card payment options can be used on the following transit service providers:[93][94][95][96][97]

• Brampton Transit
• Burlington Transit
• Durham Regional Transit
• GO Transit
• Hamilton Street Railway
• MiWay (Mississauga)
• Oakville Transit
• Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
• UP Express
• York Regional Transit

• List of smart cards

• Media related to Presto card at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website