Metrolinx, the transit agency that owns PRESTO and manages several other transit systems in the province, recently announced that GO transit buses will undergo an open payment trial next year.
Metrolinx, the transit agency that owns PRESTO and manages several other transit systems in the province, recently announced that GO transit buses will undergo an open payment trial next year.
With the open payment option, GO transit riders will be able to pay their fares by simply tapping their credit card, debit card, or mobile phones on a PRESTO reader.
The idea of open payment on GO transit was revealed at a press conference in Etobicoke on November 4 with Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory.
Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster said the much-anticipated feature will be delayed until next year.
“We are very excited about an open payment trial that will start somewhere during 2020,” said Verster.
“We are busy finalizing a way forward that would put PRESTO on your mobile device, allow for open transactions with credit cards on the system, and a couple of exciting features that would take PRESTO into the next generation.”
Several other cities, including Vancouver, have already introduced the open payment feature into their transit systems.
Metrolinx plans on first testing the open payment system on GO Transit buses next year before potentially rolling it out on other transit systems such as the TTC.
Later this month, upgraded payment devices are expected to be built beside the current devices across GO Transit and 905 transit agencies owned by Metrolinx.
Although the new devices are expected to pop up this month, transit riders will not be able to use the devices until the province-wide software, which is required to run the entire system, is fully upgraded.
The upgrading process is expected to be done sometime in 2020.
Many UTM students commute to school using the GO transit system. Some students are excited and are looking forward to the open payment system on GO transit.
“I think it will make things so much easier for people, especially those who are always in a rush like me. With open payment, I will be able to pay my fare as soon as possible,” said Jana Barakat, a first-year communication, culture, & information technology student at UTM.
Another student, Alyissa Sheechoria, a first year Communication, Culture, and Information Technology student, believes that open payment on GO transit will be convenient, especially since most people today rely on their ability to pay with their mobile phone.
“Sometimes you forget your PRESTO card at home or don’t have enough money in your [PRESTO] so being able to pay right on the spot with your card or phone is really convenient,” said Sheechoria.
Metrolinx Media Relations & Issues Specialist Fannie Sunshine discusses what’s next for Metrolinx.
“We have very exciting plans for modernizing PRESTO, and we’ve been actively sharing and discussing these plans with all of our transit agency partners, including the TTC,” said Sunshine.
“We are still working to finalize these plans and will have more information to share in the future.”
With the open payment option, GO transit riders will be able to pay their fares by simply tapping their credit card, debit card, or mobile phones on a PRESTO reader.
The idea of open payment on GO transit was revealed at a press conference in Etobicoke on November 4 with Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory.
Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster said the much-anticipated feature will be delayed until next year.
“We are very excited about an open payment trial that will start somewhere during 2020,” said Verster.
“We are busy finalizing a way forward that would put PRESTO on your mobile device, allow for open transactions with credit cards on the system, and a couple of exciting features that would take PRESTO into the next generation.”
Several other cities, including Vancouver, have already introduced the open payment feature into their transit systems.
Metrolinx plans on first testing the open payment system on GO Transit buses next year before potentially rolling it out on other transit systems such as the TTC.
Later this month, upgraded payment devices are expected to be built beside the current devices across GO Transit and 905 transit agencies owned by Metrolinx.
Although the new devices are expected to pop up this month, transit riders will not be able to use the devices until the province-wide software, which is required to run the entire system, is fully upgraded.
The upgrading process is expected to be done sometime in 2020.
Many UTM students commute to school using the GO transit system. Some students are excited and are looking forward to the open payment system on GO transit.
“I think it will make things so much easier for people, especially those who are always in a rush like me. With open payment, I will be able to pay my fare as soon as possible,” said Jana Barakat, a first-year communication, culture, & information technology student at UTM.
Another student, Alyissa Sheechoria, a first year Communication, Culture, and Information Technology student, believes that open payment on GO transit will be convenient, especially since most people today rely on their ability to pay with their mobile phone.
“Sometimes you forget your PRESTO card at home or don’t have enough money in your [PRESTO] so being able to pay right on the spot with your card or phone is really convenient,” said Sheechoria.
Metrolinx Media Relations & Issues Specialist Fannie Sunshine discusses what’s next for Metrolinx.
“We have very exciting plans for modernizing PRESTO, and we’ve been actively sharing and discussing these plans with all of our transit agency partners, including the TTC,” said Sunshine. “We are still working to finalize these plans and will have more information to share in the future.”
