TTC riders, no matter what station they’re in, will finally have the opportunity to buy tokens and tickets using debit or credit cards.
That’s the pledge made by TTC chair Josh Colle who announced Tuesday morning beginning in the new year, all station fare collectors across the system will accept expanded payment methods for purchases of 10 or more tickets and tokens as well as day passes.
While most transit systems in the world have long accepted a variety of payment methods, Colle said the switch was a "long time coming", and necessary for continuing work to integrate the TTC with the Presto electronic fare system.
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"We’re finally getting to a place we should be, and it’s important to recognize this bridges us to Presto, said Colle, who was accompanied by Mayor John Tory and TTC CEO Andy Byford during the announcement which was made inside Victoria Park Station. "We have to make an urgent push to make sure we have that technology in the system sooner than later."
Tory agreed, pointing out when it comes to offering up-to-date payment options the City of Toronto trails far behind other jurisdictions.
"This city is two generations behind other cities, and even the private sector within the city, in terms of using technology to make people’s lives easier and more convenient," he said.
TTC riders have had the option to use debit or credit to buy a monthly or weekly Metropass since late 2012. Colle said having more ways to pay fares would also improve safety with TTC staff no longer needing to accept as large amount of cash to handle payments.
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Expanding fare payment options will cost the TTC around $1.5 million over five years, to offer more options to use debit and credit for payment, as well as the development of a "cash register" to account for the increased volume of transactions paid by card.
The new options will not allow for the purchase of single fares using a card, but Byford promised a "wave and pay" option to go into effect next year, intended to allow for speedy payment of fares under $10. No further details were given.
Byford said steps have been taken to ensure there are no lengthy lineups at fare windows because of the new options.
"There’s a science to what we do," he said. "Ultimately what we want is to get rid of tickets, tokens and transfers and move to Presto."
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