Toronto Transit Commission fares

In addition to the regular fare that must be paid by adults (age 20–64), there are concessionary fares, some based on the rider's age.[7][9][10]

• Children (12 and under) ride free. Fares for children were eliminated from 1 March 2015 as part of a general TTC fare price change.[11]
• Student/youth fares are available to those aged 13–19. Those aged 16 to 19 must provide ID upon request.
• Senior fares are available to those aged 65 or older, who must provide ID upon request.

There are two other concessionary fares that are not age-based. Both are implemented on the Presto card:

• The Fair Pass program is for Toronto residents, who are low-income earners benefiting from any of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works, or a Toronto Child Care Fee Subsidy. Those eligible for the Fair Pass program receive a Presto card configured for the reduced Fair Pass price for either single rides or a monthly pass; Fair Pass users must renew their card annually to continue receiving discounted fares.[12]
• Post-secondary students enrolled at a post-secondary institution recognized by the TTC are eligible for a discounted monthly pass. Individuals travelling on such a pass must provide their TTC post-secondary photo ID upon request.[13]

In 2019, the TTC revised its description of "youth" and "student" for the purpose of fare pricing. Until early 2019, the TTC described a person aged 13–19 as a "student".[14] By mid-2019, the TTC described such a person as a "youth" (although the concessionary tickets and the fare vending machines on TTC streetcars still refers to such persons as "student"),[15] and used the word "student" in the context of a post-secondary student who could be older.[13]

The TTC supports two types of Presto fare media: the Presto card and the Presto ticket. Both process fares and transfers by means of tapping the Presto media on Presto readers, which are located on buses, on streetcars, and at subway entrances.[2]

The TTC pays Metrolinx a 5.25-percent commission on fare revenue from Presto use. The TTC estimates the total commission paid for 2019 to be $50 million. The Presto contract between the TTC and Metrolinx went into effect in 2012 and expires in 2027, after which the TTC is free to switch to another fare system. The TTC adopted Presto in 2012 due to provincial pressure, including the threat of reduced provincial funding to the TTC.[16]

Presto card

The Presto card is a stored-value smartcard which can be used on the TTC, along with GO Transit, Union Pearson Express and 8 other transit service providers across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area as well as on OC Transpo in Ottawa (similar to the OPUS card used in the Greater Montreal area and Quebec City and the Compass Card used in the Metro Vancouver area).

Using the Presto card on the TTC, a cardholder can pay adult single fares with the option of lower concessionary fares for senior, Fair Pass, post-secondary student, student/youth, or child riders.[7] (Even though children ride free, a child Presto card allows the child to pass through the fare gates at unstaffed subway station entrances.)[2]

The Presto card can be optionally loaded with a TTC monthly pass, with concessionary pricing available for eligible senior, Fair Pass, post-secondary student, or student/youth riders.[9][12][13] The 12-month pass is a commitment by an adult, senior or youth Presto cardholder to purchase 12 consecutive monthly passes, and receive a discounted monthly price for each pass.[17] Presto cardholders can add a monthly pass to their Presto card during the last twelve days of the previous month and the first eight days of the new month.[18]

When using a Presto card to pay a single fare, a two-hour transfer is automatically recorded. From the time of initial tap-on, the transfer is valid for two hours, during which passengers can enter and exit TTC vehicles or subway stations and change direction of travel repeatedly without having to pay any additional fare.[19]

A Presto ticket is a limited-use, paper ticket with an embedded electronic chip. Like the Presto card, users must tap the Presto ticket on a Presto reader when entering a TTC bus, streetcar or subway station. Unlike the Presto card, the Presto ticket is valid only for TTC services.

All subway lines, including stations in York Region, accept Presto tickets. However, Presto tickets can only be used on surface routes operating within the City of Toronto's boundaries. Therefore, on TTC-operated bus routes that travel into Mississauga (west of Pearson Airport) or York Region (north of Steeles Avenue), where an additional MiWay or York Region Transit fare is required, they cannot be used. The Presto ticket is intended for infrequent TTC customers.[2]

There are three types of Presto ticket: 1-ride, 2-ride and day pass. Unlike Presto cards, Presto tickets do not support concessionary fares. Like Presto cards, there is a two-hour transfer window available for 1- and 2-ride Presto tickets. The TTC Presto day pass expires at 2:59 a.m. on the day following the ticket's first use.[2]

Legacy fare media include:[9]

• Cash
• Tokens
• Concessionary tickets for seniors and students/youths
• Legacy TTC day passes (different from TTC Presto day pass tickets)

Effective 1 December 2019, the TTC no longer sells tokens, concessionary tickets and legacy TTC day passes. However, those already purchased may continue to be used until further notice.[9]

A fare paid by cash, concessionary ticket or token is good for one continuous, one-way trip on the TTC, including transfers between routes. Passengers paying using these types of fare media are allowed one free paper transfer, which must be obtained when the fare is paid. Transfers are proofs-of-payment and allow riders to switch between most routes without paying additional fares.[20]

In addition to the single-trip legacy media, there are legacy (non-electronic) passes which are simply shown to TTC employees – such as subway station attendants, bus or streetcar operators, roaming fare inspectors or special constables – as proof-of-payment:

• The legacy TTC day pass is valid for one person on a weekday. However, on weekends or holidays, the same pass can be used as a family/group pass: this means that a single pass can be used, at no additional charge, by two adults travelling together or by one or two adults accompanied by people aged 19 or younger, with up to six people in the group. The pass can be bought in advance, to be marked with the date only when the owner is ready to use it. The pass is valid from the date marked until 5:30 a.m. the next day. The TTC Presto day pass has the same price as is with the legacy TTC day pass, but different rules. The TTC discontinued the sale of the legacy TTC day pass at its subway stations effective 1 December 2019.[21]
• The convention pass is available only to those attending conventions, trade shows, and similar conferences; it is not sold to the general public. The TTC issues these passes for the applicable number of days and sells them to convention operators.[22]

Separate from the 900-series express buses which charge regular fares, the TTC operates five rush-hour Downtown Express bus routes (141–145) serving downtown and charging a double fare. In addition to the basic fare, passengers must pay a supplement of one ticket or token, or its equivalent value. For example, an adult can pay with two tokens, or one token plus $3.25, or $6.50 in cash. Those transferring from regular routes pay only the supplement. Effective 26 August 2019, riders can pay both fares using the Presto card. Alternatively, Presto cardholders can load a monthly Downtown Express pass onto their Presto card with the option of choosing a discounted 12-month subscription Downtown Express pass.[23] Since at least November 2020, these routes have been suspended owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24] As a result, the TTC temporarily discontinued sales of the monthly Downtown Express and 12-month Downtown Express Metropasses.[25]

The TTC operates a few routes that cross municipal boundaries; a premium fare is charged when crossing the boundary. The amount charged is the equivalent of the normal fare of the transit agency serving the municipality.[26] Although the majority of Toronto Pearson International Airport is not within Toronto city limits (but is instead in Mississauga), TTC routes terminating at the airport are not subject to the extra charge.[27]

From 7 January 2018 until it was discontinued effective 1 April 2020, Presto cardholders had the option to receive a discount of $1.50 (or $0.55 for senior, student, and youth customers) when they transfer between the TTC and Metrolinx's GO Transit or Union Pearson Express (UPX) services. The discount was available exclusively for Presto card users who used paid using their card balance.[28][29]

Riders can use Metrolinx's GO Transit and Union Pearson Express for an intermediate stage of their journey without having to pay a second TTC fare when they change back to the TTC, although there are few routes where this is useful; this policy is called "TTC Times Two".[30] The restrictions do not apply when using Presto fare media because of Presto's two-hour transfer.[19]

The Presto vending machine on the right sells Presto cards and tickets. Both can also upload funds to a Presto card.

Presto cards can be purchased, or loaded with a balance, by the following means:[31]

• Online from the Presto website (if the Presto customer has previously created a "My PRESTO account")
• Presto vending machines (typically at subway stations)
• Shoppers Drug Mart stores
• At the TTC Customer Service Centre above Davisville station

Presto cards purchased from the Presto website or from Presto vending machines are set to the adult fare rates. For concessionary fares, a Presto cardholder must take their Presto card to either a Shoppers Drug Mart store or the TTC Customer Service Centre with appropriate ID to have the concession fare rate set.[2] In the case of those eligible for the Fair Pass program, ODSP or Ontario Works case workers can grant approval of the discount for their clients.[12]

Presto tickets are sold at Presto vending machines at all subway stations.[31] They are also sold at most Toronto Shoppers Drug Mart stores. A customer can purchase up to ten Presto tickets at a time from a Presto vending machine at subway stations. Presto tickets must be used within 90 days of purchase.[2]

Presto vending machines are also available at Toronto Pearson International Airport at each of Terminals 1 and 3, ground transportation level. These sell both Presto cards and Presto tickets.[31]

Presto cardholders can purchase and load a TTC monthly pass onto a card online, at a station vending machine, or at a Shoppers Drug Mart store. TTC 12-month passes can only be purchased and loaded onto a card online.[2]

Metrolinx granted Shoppers Drug Mart exclusive retailing rights to sell Presto fare media. As of June 2019, there were 136 Shoppers Drug Mart stores in Toronto selling Presto products.[32] Presto has a mobile app that can be obtained through the Google Play or Apple's iOS/iPadOS App Store.[2]

A rider paying their fare with a Presto card or Presto ticket must tap on a Presto reader every time the rider boards a bus or streetcar, or passes through a fare gate at a subway station. All buses and streetcars have a Presto reader at each door. Presto customers may board by any door on a streetcar. On most buses, customers can only board by the front door, unless that bus is replacing a streetcar or inside the fare paid zone of a subway station. Customers using Wheel-Trans vehicles can pay their fare using a Presto card with stored value or a TTC monthly pass loaded on it, as well as with a 1-ride, 2-ride or day pass Presto ticket.[2]

When paying a single fare, Presto automatically records a timed transfer on the Presto card or ticket. From the time of initial tap-on, a transfer with Presto is valid for two hours, during which passengers can enter and exit TTC vehicles or subway stations and change direction of travel repeatedly without having to pay any additional fare.[19][2][33] Presto users must tap on every time they either enter a subway station or board a surface vehicle (even one loading in a fare-paid zone) to either charge a fare or validate a transfer. Presto readers on the TTC give no indication as to how much time is left within a two-hour transfer. If the two-hour transfer expires while riding on a TTC vehicle, Presto fare holders may finish the trip on that vehicle without paying another fare or risking a fine. If the rider subsequently boards another vehicle after expiry, then another fare needs to be paid.[34][35]

Presto card customers can pay the double fare required to ride Downtown Express bus routes. Presto cards will recognize a transfer from a regular TTC route as one of the two fares. Optionally, a monthly and 12-month Downtown Express pass is also available on the Presto card.[23]

Presto card customers can pay GTA zone fares for TTC bus routes serving areas outside of the City of Toronto. A TTC fare is charged to the Presto card within Toronto. A MiWay fare is charged on TTC buses travelling west of Toronto Pearson International Airport into Mississauga. (This does not apply to TTC buses terminating at the airport.) A York Region Transit fare is charged on TTC buses travelling north of Steeles Avenue into Vaughan and Markham, which are located in York Region. Riders crossing the zone boundary must tap their Presto card twice, once when boarding the bus and again when leaving. However, this is not necessary on the subway as double fares are not charged to enter or exit TTC's Pioneer Village, Highway 407 and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre stations, despite these stations being partially or fully located in York Region.[26]

Customers require proof-of-payment when riding streetcars. Presto cards and tickets both provide proof after the customer taps on the Presto reader. Roving TTC fare inspectors may check a customer's Presto media using a handheld card reader.[2]

As of September 2020, the TTC is operating both the Presto and legacy fare systems. The TTC describes the Presto system as still incomplete, preventing it from dropping the legacy fare system. The TTC and Metrolinx have yet to resolve a dispute about deliverables for the Presto system. The TTC wants Metrolinx to implement the following additional features:[36][5]

• Allow Presto paper TTC tickets to be provided on streetcars and buses to replace the paper transfers issued to riders who pay by cash[37]
• Expand the retail network selling Presto fare media
• Allow fare payment by tapping a debit or credit card (open payment)

The TTC estimates that Metrolinx will start testing open payment (fare payment by debit or credit card with contactless tapping) for its system in 2023. As of November 2020, there is no implementation schedule, but all Presto machines on the TTC would need to be retrofitted or replaced to support open payment.[16]

Other ideas that the TTC had considered in 2015 for the Presto card were distance-based fares and premium fares for rush-hour travel.[38] However, a June 2019 TTC report on Presto implementation made no mention of those two ideas.[37]

Until 30 November 2019, legacy fare media (concessionary tickets, tokens, and TTC day passes) could be purchased at staffed collector booths at most TTC subway stations. In late 2017 with the opening of Line 1's Toronto–York Spadina Subway Extension, the TTC began a process of closing all collector booths and replacing collectors with roaming customer service agents (CSAs). To this end, the TTC had already discontinued the sale of legacy fare media at Line 1 stations between Lawrence West and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre stations by 6 January 2019. The TTC closed collector booths at 20 more stations on 6 January 2020, with all remaining station booths closed by 29 March 2020.[39][40] Legacy fare media was also available to be purchased around Toronto at over 1200 TTC-authorized vendors.[41]

On the TTC's streetcars, the fare vending machines are located at the second and fourth modules of each car near the double doors. These machines dispense 1-ride paper tickets when payment is made using tokens and coins.

All subway stations have at least one entrance equipped with either a fare collector's booth with a farebox or a floor-mounted farebox staffed by a customer service agent where customers can make or prove fare payment with legacy fare media (cash, concessionary tickets, tokens, and legacy TTC day passes). Children (aged 12 or under) without a Presto card can gain free access to the system through these staffed entrances.[41]

Before the transition to Presto, TTC subway stations had two types of fare gates, metal push-bar tripod turnstiles at staffed entrances and floor-to-ceiling turnstiles at unstaffed subway entrances, both of which allowed customers to pass through the gates by inserting a token or swiping a fare card with a magnetic strip, such as a monthly or weekly TTC pass or a GTA weekly pass.[42] From 2016 to 2018, the TTC introduced new plexiglass paddle-style fare gates at all subway station entrances, which replaced the old tripod turnstiles used at staffed entrances and floor-to-ceiling revolving turnstiles used at unstaffed entrances.[43] The first of these new gates were installed at Main Street station in March 2016 and they were added to all subway station entrances by June 2018, with Finch being the last station to have Presto fare gates and readers installed at its entrances.[44] In 2019, after physical passes were discontinued, the swipe card readers were removed. Following these removals, only Presto customers can pass through unstaffed fare gates. Customers with legacy fare media, including cash and paper transfers, can only enter at staffed entrances.[45][2] Once the conversion to Presto is complete and legacy TTC fare media are no longer accepted, the only way to enter a subway station will be through the fare gates using Presto media.[32]

On buses, concessionary tickets, tokens or cash (change not given) must be deposited into a farebox by the front door near the operator, while Presto users must tap their card or ticket on a Presto fare reader to validate their fares. Fare media cannot be purchased on-board TTC vehicles.[46]

On the Flexity streetcars, the operator is situated inside a separated cab and does not monitor fare payments. For non-Presto users, fare payment procedures on the Flexity vehicles are as follows:[47]

• Two fare vending machines dispense 1-ride tickets (which serve as customer's POP and as transfers onto other TTC services) when a fare is paid with cash (coins only, no change given) or tokens only. From January 2016 to December 2018, they also accepted payment by contactless credit and debit cards as well, but that functionality was removed due to reliability issues.[48]
• Tickets for concessionary fares must be validated by inserting them into one of the two red TTC ticket validator machines located beside the FVMs.

A transfer is a proof-of-payment (POP) receipt issued when a fare is paid by cash, token or concessionary ticket. It allows riders to switch between most routes without paying additional fares and can be shown as POP to TTC fare inspectors or special constables while riding on board streetcars. (POP is mandatory when riding on streetcars.[49]) A paper transfer is valid to complete a one-way continuous trip without stopovers, with route changes allowed only at valid transfer points generally at an intersection where two routes cross.[20] The transfer rules used to be the same for both Presto and legacy users; however, since 26 August 2018, Presto provides its users a two-hour timed transfer. Presto users do not require paper transfers as a transfer is stored electronically on their card or ticket once they perform their initial tap on a reader.[20][19]

Three forms of paper transfers are used on the TTC:

• On buses, transfers are issued directly by vehicle operators. These transfers are pre-printed with the route and date and torn off from a holder that with tears in certain locations on the bottom and the side, marking it with the time of issue and direction of travel.[50]
• At subway stations, transfers can be obtained from machines near entry points into the fare-paid zone after customers pay their fares at the fare box staffed by a customer service attendant and pass through the fare gates. The machines print the name of the station where the transfer was issued, as well as the date and time, on standardized thermal paper. They were introduced in the mid-1990s and are not valid on surface vehicles at the station at which they are issued.[51]
• The fare vending machines found on board streetcars dispense single-ride paper proof-of-payment (POP) tickets, using thermal paper, similar to those used in the subway system. After a passenger pays their fares at the machine with coins or tokens, a 1-ride paper POP ticket is printed out which shows the fare type, date, time, stop, route and vehicle where it was issued.[48]

All TTC tokens have been the same diameter, slightly smaller than a Canadian dime. The tokens used prior to 1954 were brass coins. In 1954, the year the city's first subway opened, these were replaced by lightweight aluminum tokens produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.[53] The new tokens were simply designed with the word "SUBWAY" prominently displayed on both sides.

By 1966, a new brass token was introduced for single-token sales. The brass token used a more elaborate design displaying the TTC crest on the obverse and the TTC logo on the reverse.[54]

The extension of the Bloor–Danforth subway into the boroughs of Etobicoke and Scarborough was commemorated by special brass tokens in 1968. These remained in circulation for a limited time.[55]

New aluminum tokens were introduced in 1975 using the design of the 1966 brass tokens. The 1954 and 1975 tokens remained in circulation until February 2007, when the remaining 30 million were withdrawn due to increased counterfeiting.[56]

The replacement for the 1954 and 1975 tokens was a bi-metal design phased-in starting in November 2006. It replaced the old tokens completely in February 2007.[57]

The 2006 tokens were heavier and more resistant to counterfeiting.[56] 20 million tokens were ordered in 2006.[57] 20 million additional tokens were purchased from Osborne Coinage Company in 2008 for US$2 million; these tokens were used to replace adult tickets then in circulation.[58]

Counterfeits of the 2006 tokens were discovered in 2010. The counterfeits had the correct mass and dimensions, but had subtle typographic errors and lacked the expensive nickel used in real tokens for durability. The counterfeits did not work in automated turnstiles but could pass undetected by a human collector.[59]

The TTC discontinued the sale of tokens at subway stations effective 1 December 2019 in favour of Presto fare media.[3]

• 
  1954 token
• 
  c. 1966 brass token
• 
  1975 token
• 
  2006 token

TTC senior, student and child tickets from 2009

Adult tickets were issued until 29 September 2008, when they were withdrawn due to counterfeiting.[60] Adult tickets were temporarily reissued between 23 November 2009[61] and 31 January 2010[62] to alleviate demand on tokens in the lead-up to a fare hike that also withdrew all older tickets and passes.[61]

Effective 1 March 2015, children could ride free on the TTC. Thus, children's tickets were discontinued effective that date. Children's tickets were sold in multiples of 10.[10]

The first pass regularly offered on the TTC was the "Sunday or Holiday Pass", introduced in 1973. It allowed group travel on Sundays and holidays, similar to the later day pass. However, because the TTC was always heavily used on the last day of the Canadian National Exhibition, the pass was not offered on Labour Day.

In 1990, the Sunday or holiday pass was replaced by the day pass. It remained valid on Sundays and holidays for groups, but was extended to weekdays and Saturdays as a single-person pass. On weekdays, however, it was not valid until the end of the morning rush hour at 9:30 a.m.

Around 1994, the TTC began announcing specific periods around Christmas, and sometimes other holidays, when the day pass would be accepted as a group pass on any day. Starting around 2002, they also offered transferable weekly passes during certain weeks.

In 2005, with a political climate including the prospect of subsidies tied to ridership, the TTC became more willing to promote pass usage even at the loss of other fares. In March, the TTC extended the day pass to be usable by groups on Saturdays. Later in September, the TTC made the Metropass transferable and introduced the transferable weekly pass.

The TTC has always been cautious about the loss of revenue from selling passes to riders who would otherwise make the same trips and pay more. Passes have been introduced gradually and always been relatively expensive compared to some other transit systems: for example, in the fares adopted in 2014, an adult Metropass must be used for 50 trips in a month or else concessionary tickets or tokens would be cheaper. (However, since July 2006, a federal income tax credit has been available on monthly transit passes. For those able to buy a pass and wait for their federal transit tax credit, which is 15 percent, the threshold is reduced to 43 trips per month.)[63][64]

The TTC introduced the Metropass in 1980. At that time, there was only one price, based on the adult fare. The pass was not transferable and had to be used with TTC-issued photo ID cards (in about 2000, the TTC also began accepting Ontario driver's licences as ID). A lower-price Metropass for seniors was added in 1984, and for students in 1991 (originally at a slightly higher rate than seniors). The magnetic strip was added to the pass in 1990, allowing it to operate automatic turnstiles, even though this meant that the user's ID would then not normally be checked.

To combat fraud and sharing the pass amongst riders, a printable box was placed on the right-hand side of the card. To make the pass valid for the month, the commuter hand-printed the digits of either the commuter's Metropass photo ID card, if the commuter had one, or the commuter's initials and abbreviated gender if the commuter used other ID. The holder of the pass was also required to show the commuter's Metropass photo ID card or another piece of Government of Ontario-issued identification at the same time that the holder presented their pass.

From 1992 to 2009, free parking for Metropass users was provided at certain subway-station parking lots. Some lots were restricted to Metropass users.

In February 1993, the Metropass became the same size as a credit card and could be swiped at subway stations. The new design was a simple mono-coloured and two-shaded design, with the abbreviation of the month in a large font, and the year placed beneath it in the same font and colour. The background of the card's front had a shaded design so as to enable the holder to distinguish the text on the card.

At about the same time, the TTC introduced an annual Metropass, good for a whole year. As a higher-cost option, the pass was available in transferable form: the first transferable pass on the TTC. Both versions were soon withdrawn and replaced by the 12-month discount plan for the regular monthly pass.

From July 1996 to March 2004, the pass carried a faux gold-stamped version of the Toronto Transit Commission's seal.

In 2000, the design was altered to include the "Toronto Millennium" logo, celebrating the changeover to a new millennium.

Fares on the provincially operated GO Transit are separate from TTC fares for travel within and outside of Toronto. A "Twin Pass", which combined a Metropass with a monthly GO Transit ticket for a specific journey at a discount compared to their individual prices, was available from 1988 until 2002.

In April 2004, the Metropass changed its design to a multi-colour vertical gradient, along with a different type of faux gold-imprinted "Metropass" logo (it uses the unique TTC font used in several subway stations). The colours and pattern of the gradient vary from month to month. In addition, the year was now printed in a bold font at the upper right, with the month imprinted in the same faux gold as the Metropass logo.

In September 2005, the Metropass became transferable (with ID required only to prove eligibility for the senior or student fare). The printable anti-fraud box was removed and replaced by wording suggesting the transfer of the pass to others when one was not using it.

Though the reverse side of the pass has always had the conditions of use printed on the reverse, it did not see much updating until the passes were made transferable in 2005, at which point a "No Pass Back" rule was added: in essence, a rider who enters the system using a pass must not hand it to someone outside the fare-paid area, which would allow both to use it at once.

In February 2006, to reduce lineups at subway station fare collector booths, the TTC introduced automated Metropass vending machines (accepting payment only by credit or debit cards) at some subway stations which dispensed weekly and monthly Metropasses. These have since been removed and replaced by new Presto vending machines as of 2018, which allow customers to purchase a new Presto card or load money or a digital monthly TTC pass onto the electronic fare cards as part of the Presto card rollout. In April 2006, the TTC day pass became valid all day on weekdays.

The TTC redesigned its Metropasses to include custom holograms and a yellow "activation" sticker, beginning with the July 2009 Metropasses, due to widespread counterfeiting of the Metropasses between January and May 2009.[65] In addition, removing the "activation" sticker reveals a thin film, which is used to prevent the reapplication of the sticker, and removing the film would leave a sticky residue, in which dirt, fingerprints and other particles can obscure the hologram.[66] The thin film reads, "Do not remove," to prevent curious Metropass users from removing it.

The TTC offered the Metropass Hot Dealz [sic], in which a current Metropass user and three guests received an admission discount at various venues and events, such as Casa Loma, the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Ontario Place, the Ontario Science Centre, and the Toronto Zoo.[67] These competed directly with CityPASS as the Toronto version of CityPASS applies to some of the same attractions, except that CityPASS is marketed to tourists outside of Toronto, while the Metropass Hot Dealz is marketed to Torontonians. However, the TTC ceased offering the Metropass Hot Dealz in 2015.

A less expensive seniors' monthly pass was created in the 1980s, which was valid with government-issued photo ID or TTC senior's photo ID.[68] The concessionary pass was later expanded to cover use by high school students aged 16–19 who present a valid photo ID.[69]

While originally the student Metropass and other student fares were available only to high school students, a separate post-secondary Metropass was made available to university and college students (likewise requiring TTC-issued photo ID), starting with the September 2010 pass. Before September 2010, post-secondary institutions issued VIP Metropasses.

Until mid-2018, passengers were able to sign up for the Metropass Discount Plan (MDP), which was a 12-month commitment. Users received the Metropass in the mail before the start of every month.[70] This program was initially expected to end as of 31 December 2018 as part of the transition to the Presto card, but due to rotating strikes by employees of Canada Post (the service provider that delivers the MDP passes) the program was discontinued earlier than anticipated on 31 October 2018 instead and MDP passes were not sent out for November or December 2018; it has since been replaced by a 12-month pass which is only available on Presto cards and can only be purchased online via the Presto website.[71]

The Volume Incentive Pass (VIP) program allowed organizations to purchase adult Metropasses in bulk, which are then sold at a lower price than the MDP to commuters. The pass is transferable under the same rules as the weekly pass. The VIP program was cancelled and phased out on 31 December 2018.[72]

The last month for the physical Metropass was December 2018. Since 1 January 2019, a monthly TTC pass has only been available via the Presto card.[73]

From September 2005 until March 2019, the TTC-only weekly pass was available for use. This was a type of Metropass valid for one week on the TTC; a concession version with a discount similar to the senior and youth discount for the monthly Metropass was also available. There was no post-secondary student version of the weekly TTC pass. These weekly passes were discontinued on 31 March 2019.[74]

GTA weekly passes for June 2011

The GTA weekly pass was introduced in 1994 based on a recommendation of the provincial government.[75] It was valid on the TTC, MiWay, York Region Transit, and Brampton Transit. It was good for unlimited travel for seven days starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday until morning service started on the following Monday. It was sold at select locations starting the Thursday before the week of use, until Tuesday on the week of use.[76]

GTA weekly pass holders were not required to pay additional fares when crossing a municipal boundary between areas served by the four participating agencies. However, extra fares were required for certain "premium" and "express" routes.[75][76]

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) provided a subsidy at the onset, but this was withdrawn in 1998. Revenues from pass sales were split between the participating agencies.[75]

The GTA weekly pass was discontinued effective 1 December 2019, with the last pass being for the week of 25 November to 1 December 2019.[76]

On certain special occasions, the TTC has offered passes with periods of validity as appropriate. These have included the Papal Visits of 1984 and 2002. When the SkyDome was opened in 1989, Toronto Blue Jays tickets doubled as TTC passes.

POP was introduced on the Queen streetcar lines in 1990 to make better use of the Articulated Light Rail Vehicles on the line.[77] Prior to August 2014, the POP system was limited to the Queen routes because these routes do not enter a fare-paid terminal of subway stations, due to concerns of further fare evasion. POP is incompatible with the paperless transfer system used by the rail system. The POP system was extended to the 510 Spadina route on 31 August 2014 coinciding with the introduction on that day of new Flexity streetcars; this is because operators on these vehicles are in a closed cab and are not responsible for fare collection and do not normally issue paper POP transfers. The 504 King followed on 1 January 2015, and the 509 Harbourfront route also became POP on 29 March 2015 when the Flexity streetcars were added on that line.[49] Since the summer of 2015, route 511 Bathurst has operated occasionally on a POP system during special events, such as the 2015 Pan American Games and the annual Canadian National Exhibition, when the Flexity streetcars are used on that line.[49]

Since 14 December 2015, all TTC streetcar lines, including streetcar replacement shuttle buses, have operated on a proof-of-payment (POP) system at all times, in which case fare payments are treated on an honour system and passengers must carry proof that they have paid the correct fares to show during random spot checks (which can take place on board a vehicle or at subway stations served by streetcar routes). Passengers with proof of payment can board at any door of the vehicle. Forms of POP include an unexpired paper transfer or pass, or Presto fare media with an active transfer.[49]

Upon request, passengers must present POP. TTC staff such as fare inspectors or special constables who conduct random fare inspections also carry handheld Presto verification machines to verify Presto payments and check transaction history. A summons such as a fine can be issued if passengers fail to produce POP upon request.[49]

In 2005, the TTC introduced "time-based" transfers allowing additional free rides within a two-hour time limit from the start of the vehicle's journey, even if the passenger made a stopover or reversed direction. The experiment was linked to the temporary substitution of parts of the 512 St. Clair streetcar route by buses due to track reconstruction. Time-based transfers were only available on the St. Clair route; on other routes, they were accepted only at normal transfer points as indicated on the transfer itself. This time-based transfer was not available to load on a Presto card, meaning Presto users who wished to take advantage of this pilot project needed to board at the front door of the vehicle in order to obtain the special time-based transfer, though transfers to other routes could be completed by tapping their Presto card again.[78]

This program came to an end when the new four-door Flexity Outlook streetcars entered service on the 512 St. Clair route on 3 September 2017, as operators on the new streetcars are in a fully enclosed cab, which means the operator is not responsible for fare collection and is not able to provide paper transfers.[79]

In November 2017, a Toronto transit advocacy group, TTCriders, along with Toronto mayor John Tory and two Toronto city councillors including TTC chair Josh Colle, made a request to the TTC to introduce system-wide two-hour time-based transfers across the entire TTC network (a system that is already in place on other local Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area transit agencies). The new system officially debuted on 26 August 2018, following the TTC's board of directors approval on 28 November 2017. The TTC estimates that the program will add five million trips to the system, at a cost of $20.9 million annually, as this incentive will allow for unlimited travel – including the ability to enter and exit any TTC vehicles and stations, along with changing their direction of travel – within two hours from initial tap-on without having to pay another fare.

The two-hour time-based transfer is only available to Presto users. Paper transfers are only valid for a continuous one-way trip with no stopovers or backtracking permitted.[80][2]

From 1921 until 1953, one TTC fare was good for any distance within the pre-amalgamation City of Toronto. Where routes extended outside the city, extra fares were charged.

In 1954, Metropolitan Toronto ("Metro") was created, covering most of the city's post-1998 city limits. The TTC took on responsibility for transit within the entire area. A flat fare was not considered to be feasible for so large an area; so the TTC created the Central Zone, which roughly incorporated the City of Toronto, and set up a series of concentric semicircular rings around it as Suburban Zones 2–5, with an additional fare required for each one. Routes extending beyond the Metro limits continued to be separate radial routes, so the zones still had the effect of fare stages, but within Metro, it became possible to change buses within a suburban zone.

In 1956, Suburban Zones 2 and 3 were combined as Zone 2 and the Central Zone became the new Zone 1.

During this early period, the outer zones within Metro were relatively undeveloped and bus routes in them were sparse; but as development increased, there was pressure for lower suburban fares, and in 1962, the outer boundary of Zone 2 was extended to all the way to the Metro limit. Higher fares, still on a zonal basis along each radial route, now applied only on the few routes running beyond Metro; in effect, the zone boundaries outside Zone 2 had changed from semicircles to rough rectangles. Eventually, the beyond–Metro Zones 4 and 5 were combined into a new Zone 2 and the fares coordinated with those of adjacent transit agencies, which is the system used today.

In 1968, the Bloor–Danforth Subway was extended east and west through the boundary between Zones 1 and 2, but the subway remained part of Zone 1, due to the impracticality of a payment-on-exit system. On 21 January 1973, with construction already well advanced on a similar extension of the Yonge–University Subway, the TTC acceded to pressure to abolish the zone boundary, and all of Metro (now the unified City of Toronto) gained service at a single flat fare. (The new subway stations on both lines in what had been Zone 2 had not been designed for the change: their bus terminals were outside of the subway's fare-paid area. The layout of some stations allowed this to be easily corrected by relocating the fare barrier, but at other stations, this was unfeasible and they were not reconfigured until a later renovation, if at all.)

A situation similar to the former Zone 2 policy exists today on the Line 1 University–Spadina subway, which was extended to neighbouring Vaughan in York Region on 17 December 2017. The stations in Vaughan are treated as part of the TTC fare zone, with a separate fare required when transferring to non-TTC bus routes such as York Region Transit/Viva and Brampton Transit (Züm) at these stations. The present Zone 2 applies to TTC-contracted bus routes continuing north of Steeles Avenue or west of Toronto Pearson International Airport (where the zone boundary was moved slightly west to from the city limits at Highway 427 in 1999),[81] which are the equivalents of the former suburban zonal routes, where a YRT, MiWay or Brampton Transit fare is required.

In 2007, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) committed to implement the Presto system at 14 of its major subway stations. In 2008, the TTC approved the use of a smartcard system[82] and worked with Presto in addressing the TTC's business requirements for "full" system participation.[83] An initial funding allocation of $140 million was earmarked by the provincial and federal governments and the City of Toronto; however, the TTC estimated in its 2009–2013 budget that the project would take $365 million to complete.[83] At a provincial funding announcement in March 2011, it was announced that Presto would become the TTC's fare card of choice, though details of financing were still to be worked out.[84]

On 28 November 2012, TTC CEO Andy Byford, TTC chair Karen Stintz, and Metrolinx signed the master agreement committing the TTC to the Presto fare payment system. The agreement fell under another master agreement that for the next ten years the new four LRT lines would be built by Metrolinx and operated by the TTC. The TTC was the last system to commit to Presto, while also being the largest system with the most users in Canada.[85] On 30 November 2014, the Flexity Outlook streetcars became the first surface vehicles on the TTC to be equipped with this system. The older Canadian Light Rail Vehicle (CLRV) and Articulated Light Rail Vehicle (ALRV) streetcars would follow one year later on 14 December 2015, when those cars were retrofitted with Presto machines as well, and all remaining surface vehicles (including buses) and at least one entrance of all subway stations were equipped with this system by 23 December 2016.[86][87]

In April 2016, Main Street was the first station on the Toronto subway system to have the new paddle-door fare gates, which replaced the old tripod turnstiles, installed. All subway stations (at least one entrance per station) became fully Presto-compatible by 22 December 2016.

From May to December 2016, Presto readers were installed in TTC buses from west to east. As of 31 May 2016, all Queensway division buses were equipped with Presto readers. This was followed by Wilson and Arrow Road divisions in August 2016 and Malvern and Mount Dennis divisions in October 2016. Birchmount and Eglinton divisions were the last two divisions to have the Presto readers rolled out, with installations completed by 23 December 2016.

By September 2016, frequent reports emerged that Presto loading machines, fare gates, and the units for tapping cards were not functioning as initially expected.[88] The prevalence of these outages had the TTC calling the situation "unacceptable", although Byford noted the situation was improving.[89] Across 2016 and 2017, faulty Presto devices resulted in 1.4 million free rides on the TTC, each ride representing forgone revenue for the Commission.[90] The TTC estimated that from January 2016 to February 2018, it had lost $4.2 million in fare revenue as a result of problems with Presto readers, for which—as per the master agreement of 2012—Metrolinx was obligated to reimburse the TTC.[91]

In June 2017, the TTC made their monthly Metropasses available on the Presto card; initially, only the adult and senior versions were available; by the fourth quarter of 2018, student, youth, post-secondary student, and 12-month discount Metropasses were available to load to Presto cards.[37]

On 7 January 2018, the TTC and Metrolinx introduced a discounted double co-fare for customers transferring between Union Pearson Express, GO Transit and the TTC. The discounted fare was only available to Presto card customers who paid single fares using a stored card balance and was not available to customers who paid by cash, paper tickets, tokens or a Presto card with a digital monthly TTC pass loaded on it.[92] This program was cancelled on 1 April 2020, after the Ontario provincial government was unable to renew the contract to extend the double-fare discount program.[28][29]

Starting in April 2018, the City of Toronto implemented its Fair Pass program for eligible low-income residents as part of the City's poverty reduction policies. The program was implemented through the Presto card, and offered $1 off single rides or $30.75 off a monthly pass relative to adult rates at the time of implementation.[93]

On 26 August 2018, Presto users were given a two-hour, time-based transfer when paying a single fare. This feature was not granted to those who carry paper transfers.[94]

By the end of December 2018, Presto readers were available on all streetcars and TTC buses as well in all subway station entrances (including both the main/staffed and unstaffed/automated entrances). Coxwell on Line 2 was the last subway station to be equipped with Presto readers.[95][96]

In late 2018, the TTC began internal testing of single-use paper Presto fare cards, called Presto tickets[97] (which include one-ride, two-ride and day pass tickets), to replace concessionary tickets and tokens. They were officially made available to the public at Lawrence West and Yorkdale stations on 6 April 2019,[98] and were later made available at all Line 1 subway stations between Lawrence West and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on 3 May 2019.[98] On 8 July 2019, they were made available in all subway stations. They are also available for sale at select Shoppers Drug Mart stores.[99]

Starting 1 January 2019, Wheel-Trans customers using a Wheel-Trans sedan taxi could pay their fare using a TTC monthly pass on a Presto card. Otherwise, customers without a monthly pass had to pay the fare by cash, concession tickets or tokens.[100]

In June 2019, the TTC sent Metrolinx an invoice for $7.5 million to recover revenue lost due to faulty Presto readers. Metrolinx refused to pay the invoice, because—in their view—it was "not valid", and Metrolinx had borne most of the costs of Presto implementation.[36]

Effective 29 July 2019, riders can use a Presto card to pay both the TTC and MiWay fares for TTC buses crossing into Mississauga past Pearson Airport, and effective 26 August 2019, a Presto card can pay both the TTC and York Region Transit fares for TTC bus routes operating between Toronto and York Region.[26]

Effective 26 August 2019, riders can use the Presto card to pay the full double fare on Downtown Express bus routes (141–145). Presto cardholders also have the option of loading either a monthly or 12-month Downtown Express pass onto their Presto card. These two passes replace the previously available Downtown Express sticker that one could purchase and affix to a Presto card.[23]

Starting 13 January 2020, Wheel-Trans customers using a Wheel-Trans sedan taxi can pay the fare from the stored value on a Presto Card or by using a Presto ticket.[33]

In February 2020, the TTC audit committee estimated that fraudulent use of the child Presto card accounted for 33.7 percent of all fare evasion and that 90 percent of taps using a child Presto card were fraudulently made by riders over 12 years of age. Children 12 and under ride free, and the child Presto card is to allow a child to pass through the fare gates at a subway entrance. Fare evasion using a child Presto card results in an estimated $23-million annual loss in revenue. Demand for child Presto cards grew by 75 percent in 2019 while demand for other concessions on a Presto card grew by only 25 percent.[101]

• TTC official site
  • fares page
  • history page

Fares

• TTC fares since 1954 (Mike's Transit Stop)

Maps

• Historical system maps (Mike's Transit Stop)
• Historical system maps (Transit Toronto)
• Historical TTC zone map from 1954 (Transit Toronto)

Fare media

• Surface transfers from 1944–1955 (Transit Toronto)
• Subway transfers from the late-1980s and early-1990s (Primary Access Node)