More transit riders can now tap their credit cards on Presto machines

The Ontario government says it has expanded Presto credit card payments in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

Starting Monday, commuters using Durham Region Transit, York Regional Transit, Burlington Transit and Hamilton Street Railway can pay their fares by tapping their credit cards on Presto devices, including credit cards on a smartphone or smartwatch.

Associate Minister of Transportation Stan Cho said the move “will provide users greater ease and convenience when travelling for work, school, leisure, and more.”

GO Transit, Brampton Transit, MiWay and Oakville Transit rolled out the credit card tap payment method last summer, after a pilot program on the UP Express was launched in 2021.

Officials say as of Jan. 11, 2023, there have been 518,475 boardings using credit cards on these transit systems.

As with Presto cards, riders need to tap their credit cards on Presto devices at the beginning of their trip and when they get off at their destination. The transit agency says it’s important to use the same card, phone or watch to tap on and tap off to avoid possibly paying twice.

The province also says it is working on expanding credit card payments to the TTC as well as introducing debit tapping payment options at all transit agencies in the GTHA.

The TTC is working on updating Presto card readers on its buses, streetcars and fare gates in the subway system, to allow for open payment, including from credit and debit cards as well as mobile devices. The new features are expected to be available on the TTC this year.

With files from Meredith Bond and Dilshad Burman of CityNews