News   Nov 08, 2024
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Metrolinx: Presto Fare Card

My wish: Now that we have digital representations of physical cards, would be great if you could have virtual cards. In other words, a card on your phone without the need of purchasing a physical card.
You can buy a digital card directly through Apple Wallet
 
Unfortunately if u have fair pass discount u can only have it one presto card, it would have be useful to have to cards one on phone and a backup physical card
That's not an option with any transit cards to have both a physical and digital one. It's so that people can't use the digital one and have someone else use the physical one.
 
As someone who very rarely takes transit anymore, forgive the following potentially stupid question: I noticed last week that I could just tap on the fare machines on the TTC with my debit card, so I wondered to myself what the point is in having a Presto card anymore (which I have) - is there any kind of benefit to having one?
 
As someone who very rarely takes transit anymore, forgive the following potentially stupid question: I noticed last week that I could just tap on the fare machines on the TTC with my debit card, so I wondered to myself what the point is in having a Presto card anymore (which I have) - is there any kind of benefit to having one?
It depends for example if you have a reduced fare type or a pass on your card. Also not everyone likes to have multiple small transactions on their credit or debit card.
 
As someone who very rarely takes transit anymore, forgive the following potentially stupid question: I noticed last week that I could just tap on the fare machines on the TTC with my debit card, so I wondered to myself what the point is in having a Presto card anymore (which I have) is there any kind of benefit to having one?
To add, presto fares are different (prices) than cash/debit/credit fares on some agencies (e.g. DRT). Seems to me I read in recent Metrolinx board meeting notes they are a looking to eliminate eventually.
 
I'm surprised by the number of places as Presto card gets you a discount.
 
As someone who very rarely takes transit anymore, forgive the following potentially stupid question: I noticed last week that I could just tap on the fare machines on the TTC with my debit card, so I wondered to myself what the point is in having a Presto card anymore (which I have) - is there any kind of benefit to having one?
For an average adult user, probably not really. Unless you like managing your transit spending via a presto card, which some people do. Mainly though, Presto is still useful for anyone on a discount fare rate. So for my parents, they get a seniors rate on Presto, but wouldn't if they pay by credit/debit.

And, as others have mentioned, there are also some Presto discounts that exist.
 
Annoyingly enough, I noticed once again on a commute I occasionally take with GO (that involves a line transfer) the amount you're actually charged is higher than the website price!

The people on the phone confirmed you'll have to tap twice at union when transferring trains, though the station staff said this was incorrect.
 
Annoyingly enough, I noticed once again on a commute I occasionally take with GO (that involves a line transfer) the amount you're actually charged is higher than the website price!

The people on the phone confirmed you'll have to tap twice at union when transferring trains, though the station staff said this was incorrect.
Your trip can be significantly cheaper if you tap off and on again at Union during a transfer since you get a $4.71 discount on your fare every time you transfer.

For example, GO Transit lists a Long Branch GO to Scarborough GO fare as $7.78 but you can get it for $4 if you tap off and back on at Union, since this makes the Union GO to Scarborough GO portion free.
 
Interesting -- I usually do LSW to LSE so I don't get off the train except for the odd time when the train is ending at Union
 
A new one for me. I found this email in the spam folder but it turns out it is an authentic email from PRESTO.

Hello,

We are reaching out to inform you about an issue that occurred on August 24th when you loaded money onto your PRESTO card.
It appears that there was an issue with the payment processing, and as a result, we did not receive the payment from your financial institution for the value added to your card.

As a result, on October 22,2024, we will be reversing the load amount from your PRESTO card, which will reduce your card balance.
We understand that this may impact your ability to travel, so we recommend that you load funds to your card ahead of the reversal to avoid any travel disruptions.
This is a really odd one. How did it work but not work and why did it take two months for them to realise this? They did indeed deduct the money on October 24 (I didn't tap on anywhere on the 22 or 23). The email came on October 21.

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