‘Tap to pay’ option on Ontario area transit embraced by riders

Sept. 26, 2022

The provincial government says customers have used the tap to pay option more than 100,000 times since it was introduced in August.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

Customers on GO Transit, MiWay, Brampton Transit and Oakville Transit have utilized the tap to pay option using credit cards, smartphones or smartwatches more than 100,000 times since August.

The Ontario government reports customers on GO Transit, MiWay in Mississauga, Brampton Transit and Oakville Transit have utilized the tap to pay option using credit cards more than 100,000 times since August.

The launch of the PRESTO fare system provided a foundation for the provincial government and its transit providers and partners to offer additional payment options. A pilot on UP Express in 2021 allowed customers to pay by credit and debit card. This option was extended to the entire GO Transit network, Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville transit systems in August 2022. Additionally, it included those cards on a smartphone or smartwatch. In 2023, the province will further expand new payment options to more transit agencies across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including payment by debit.

“Improving the PRESTO fare payment system by allowing riders to simply tap on with their credit cards is yet another example of how our government is bettering the transit experience, respecting taxpayers’ money and helping people get to where they need to go,” said Ontario Associate Minister of Transportation Stan Cho. “Our government is making transit an appealing, convenient and simpler option for people across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.”

Ontario Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney added the milestone demonstrates the high demand for contactless payments and said the next step will be expanding the tap-on credit card payment options the region. PRESTO is used by 11 regional transit agencies.

"We are thrilled to see that our customers are adopting these new credit card and digital credit options to pay their fare on GO Transit and the first three local transit agencies,” said Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster. “With a tap of their credit card, or the credit card on their smart watch or mobile phone, customers now have even more choice and convenience when choosing public transit."

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.