4.0
STRATEGIES
STRATEGY #6
IMPLEMENT AN INTEGRATED TRANSIT FARE SYSTEM
There are 10 public transit agencies in the GTHA. Currently each has its own, separate system for
paying fares and each has its own fare structure. This means, for example, that people who travel
from a local bus in one city, to a GO train, and then to the subway in Toronto need to pay three
different fares, or have three different transit passes for their trip. Other jurisdictions in Canada
and around the world have integrated their transit fare systems to offer a more consistent and
seamless service to travellers. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation launched a regional farecard
pilot project called Presto in the summer of 2007. By 2012, the Presto farecard will allow users to
swipe the card and automatically be billed for travelling on transit systems anywhere in the GTHA.
There is a potential to expand Presto to become the premiere payment platform in the GTHA and
revolutionize the way that travellers interact with the transportation system. There is also an
opportunity to use it to help integrate fares across the region.
PRIORITY ACTIONS:
BIG MOVE #6
A region-wide integrated transit fare system.
6.1 Implement a region-wide integrated transit fare system by 2012 that allows users to pay a seamless, integrated fare for all transit systems across the region.
No more tokens or tickets: the Presto smart card
will allow transit riders to pay their fare in any part of the region with a single card.
Transit riders in Hong Kong can use their Octopus transit
smart card for payment at stores and restaurants. Frequent users receive reward points.
An integrated fare system can enable travellers to cross municipal boundaries
or transfer between transit modes or operators without fare duplication.
6.2 Over time, leverage the Presto fare smart card’s
technology to offer new fare products and integrate
fares throughout the region. Pursue partnerships
with financial institutions, local businesses, tourism
destinations, transit agencies and public sector
agencies to expand the scope of the Presto fare
smart card to function as a debit card, library card,
parking pass, bike share card or to offer discounts and reward points.
EXAMPLE: McMASTER U-PASS
McMaster University’s U-PASS program provides all
McMaster students with an eight-month transit pass
for only $94.80 annually. An overwhelming 89 per
cent of students voted in favour of the program in the
last referendum.
6.3 Expand GO Transit’s local transit subsidy program for riders who are travelling to GO
stations using local transit.
FACT: EMPLOYER-PROVIDED TRANSIT PASSES
If an employer provides a free or subsidized transit
pass, it is considered a taxable benefit and the
employee has to pay tax on it. If the employer
provides free parking, however, it is not considered a
taxable benefit and the employee does not have to
pay tax on it, unless there is a specific spot reserved
for their exclusive use.
6.4 Provide financial incentives to encourage greater transit use, such as:
- expanding the use of U-PASS programs currently offered by many transit providers;
- making employer-provided or employer-subsidized transit passes tax-exempt; and
- offering bulk discounts on transit pass sales to employers and major trip generators.