Ontario Expands PRESTO Credit Payment to HSR
The Ontario government is making it easier to take transit in the 905 (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area) by giving riders more ways to pay.
Starting January 23, riders on Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), Burlington Transit, Durham Region Transit and York Regional Transit, can tap credit cards to pay fares on a PRESTO device, including credit cards on a smartphone or a smartwatch.
“This latest milestone in the continuous advancement of the PRESTO system will provide users greater ease and convenience when travelling for work, school, leisure, and more,” said Stan Cho, Associate Minister of Transportation. “The expansion of credit card payment on PRESTO devices in Durham Region, York Region, Burlington, and Hamilton is just another way our government is simplifying the transit experience for Ontarians.”
The expansion of credit payment on PRESTO devices began in 2021 on the Union Pearson (UP) Express. In 2022, the option was extended to the entire GO Transit network and the Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville transit systems. As of January 11, 2023, there has been 518,475 boardings using credit cards on these transit systems.
“We are thrilled to see transit riders using new PRESTO payment options like contactless credit, making their transit experience even easier, more flexible and convenient,” said Barclay Hancock, Chief Payments Officer, Metrolinx. “Every day, more riders are tapping their credit cards on agencies where this is already available, and we are excited to be expanding this functionality to Durham, York, Burlington and Hamilton.”
The province is also working to expand the credit card payment system to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and to introduce debit tapping payment capability to all transit agencies in the GTHA.
Quick Facts
- Only adult standard fares are available to be paid with a credit card tap.
- PRESTO credit payment is fully operational on Brampton Transit, Burlington Transit, Durham Region Transit, Hamilton Street Railway, MiWay (Mississauga), Oakville Transit, York Region Transit, GO Transit, and the Union Pearson (UP) Express.
- PRESTO has approximately 4.4 million active customers.
Quotes
“Expanded payment options offer our transit customers greater choice and make it easier to travel seamlessly within our community and between different transit services, which will further grow ridership. Whether it is a tourist exploring Hamilton for the first time or a resident needing to connect to the region, there has never been a more convenient time to take transit.”
– Andrea Horwath
Hamilton Mayor
“Transit users have been asking for simple ways to pay the fare and this delivers by allowing people to use a credit card. Providing more payment options supports both existing and potential new transit riders, including those who are first-time transit users who may not carry cash. This includes tourists and passengers who want the added convenience of alternative payment methods. By removing one more barrier to ridership, we help increase the number of passengers using our transit system.”– Marianne Meed Ward
Burlington Mayor