A thing of the past: TTC to end sale of tokens this weekend
Posted March 23, 2023 5:56 pm.
Last Updated March 23, 2023 6:27 pm.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will no longer sell tokens as of this weekend, putting a formal stop to the long-accepted form of fare payment.
The TTC announced that March 24 is the last day tokens can be purchased from any location where fares are sold. While the transit system stopped selling tokens in 2019, they were still available at select third-party retailers.
The TTC has transitioned to PRESTO, which now accounts for over 90 per cent of TTC ridership.
A spokesperson says that TTC customers can continue using previously purchased tokens or tickets to pay their fares. The cost of a fare using PRESTO is the same price as a token.
PRESTO cards are available at the Fare Vending Machines at all subway stations, Shoppers Drug Mart locations, online at prestocard.ca and the TTC Customer Service Centre.
The TTC first introduced tokens in 1954 after being produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.
While the TTC initially considered the token a time-saver, the City of Toronto said many riders opted not to use them. By 1966, a new brass token was introduced for single-token sales.
If you’re keen on acquiring a piece of Toronto history, various versions of TTC tokens are already being sold on websites like Kijiji, eBay and Etsy.
