Presto card loophole leaves riders vulnerable

By News Staff

In 2018 the TTC is hoping everyone riding the rocket will be part of a fully automated system with the help of the Presto card.

But some riders transit riders say if you lose your card, it’s more than just a hassle, it can also cost you. A registered card isn’t cancelled right away after you report it lost or stolen. It could take up to 24 hours, and during that time you’re on the hook for any rides taken on the card.

“It’s ridiculous,” Presto user, Soshi Sankat, said. “I don’t think it’s fair to anyone who rides TTC or GO Transit.”

“Don’t lose your card. I learned that lesson,” added Amaya Chanmugam.

CityNews discovered even Starbucks coffee cards have a better protection policy. Their website promises to freeze the user’s account as soon as the company is notified of a lost or stolen card.

So why does it take Metrolinx so long to cancel a Presto card?

“All the machines on the buses need to be updated and they won’t be updated until they plug in at night,” explained Metrolinx spokesperson, Anne Marie Aikins.

“We say 24 hours but it rarely takes that long. It’s usually a couple of hours to make sure it’s been cancelled.”

Aikins also said it’s not uncommon practice for spending incurred on a card to be the user’s responsibility until the account is frozen.

“Keep in mind this is a card that’s for limited use in transit. There’s only so much someone can use it for. They can’t spend hundreds of dollars in a couple hours on transit. They might get a tap or two so it isn’t a huge amount of money.”

Once the card is officially cancelled, you can transfer the remaining balance onto a new card which, if you order online, can take up to 10 days to arrive. Or you can buy a new card in person for $6 which also requires loading it with a minimum balance of $10. Then you can transfer the remaining balance once the cancellation is complete.

Right now only about 15 per cent of TTC riders use Presto. Metrolinx’s goal is to get that to 25 per cent by the spring.
As part of the push to get the entire system fully automated, this week the TTC began operating eight stations without fare collectors.

They’re also rolling out more locations for people to purchase Presto cards outside of the GO. They are now available at Gateway newsstands, inside subway stations and 93 Shoppers Drug Marts across the city.

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