View source for Presto card

{{Short description|Contactless smart card fare system in Ontario, Canada}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox electronic payment
| image = Presto Card.svg
| image_size = 250
| alt = PRESTO card. Note the [[Braille]] letter P.
| caption = Presto farecard in 2019
| name = Presto card
| location = [[Greater Toronto Area|Greater Toronto]], [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]] and [[Ottawa]]
| launched = Q4 2009
| service_1 = {{plainlist|
* [[Brampton Transit]]
* [[Burlington Transit]]
* [[Durham Region Transit]]
* [[GO Transit]]
* [[Hamilton Street Railway]]
* [[MiWay]] (Missisauga)
* [[Oakville Transit]]
* [[OC Transpo]] (Ottawa)
* [[Toronto Transit Commission]]
* [[Union Pearson Express]]
* [[York Region Transit]]
}}
| sales_location_1 = Online
| sales_location_2 = Participating transit agencies
| currency = [[Canadian dollar|CAD]]
| stored_value = e-purse, period pass
| credit_expiry = None
| minimum_credit = $0.05
| maximum_credit = $1000
| automatic_recharge = Autoload
| technology_1 = [[DESFire|MiFare DESFire]] EV1<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metrolinx.com/tenders/en/docs/RFP-2017-VM-017.pdf |title=RFP-2017-VM-017: Supply of PRESTO MiFare Ultralight C based Limited Use Media & Related Services |first=Rachael |last=Yiu |publisher=Metrolinx |date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727085545/http://www.metrolinx.com/tenders/en/docs/RFP-2017-VM-017.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=27 July 2019}}</ref>
| operator = [[Accenture]]
| manager = [[Metrolinx]]
| homepage = {{official URL}}
}}

The '''Presto card''' (stylized as '''PRESTO''') is a [[contactless smart card]] [[automated fare collection]] system used on participating public transit systems in the province of [[Ontario]], Canada, specifically in [[Greater Toronto Area|Greater Toronto]], [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], and [[Ottawa]]. Presto card readers were implemented on a trial basis from 25 June 2007 to 30 September 2008. Full implementation began in November 2009 and it was rolled out across rapid transit stations, railway stations, bus stops and terminals, and transit vehicles on eleven different transit systems.

A variant of the Presto card is the [[#Presto ticket|Presto ticket]], introduced on 5 April 2019, which is a single-use paper ticket with an embedded chip. The Presto ticket can only be used for the services of the [[Toronto Transit Commission]].<ref name="TTC-Presto-FAQ"/><ref name="TTC-2019-05-06">{{cite web |url=https://www.ttc.ca/News/2019/May/06_05_19NR_PRESTO-Tickets.jsp |title=TTC extends sales of Presto Tickets to 10 stations |publisher=[[Toronto Transit Commission]] |date=6 May 2019 |access-date=2 June 2019 }}</ref>{{Dead link|date=March 2025}}

In late 2023 and mid-2024, Presto was made available for use in Google Wallet and Apple Wallet, respectively.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":3" />

Presto is a result of [[The Big Move]], the 2008 regional transportation plan for the [[Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area]] (GTHA), which had an integrated fare payment system as one of its strategies.<ref name="Mx home">{{Cite web|url=http://www.metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/presto/presto.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020212158/http://www.metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/presto/presto.aspx |title=Metrolinx – PRESTO |archive-date=20 October 2012}}</ref> Presto is an operating division of [[Metrolinx]], the Ontario [[government agency]] that manages and integrates road transport and public transit in the GTHA.

==History==
In 1998, [[GO Transit]] began work on a smart card system with [[Videlli|ERG Transit Systems]]. A year-long pilot of the system on GO Transit's [[Richmond Hill line]] was scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2000, but was delayed to June 2002.<ref name="itwc041904">{{cite news |last1=Buckler |first1=Grant |title=GO Transit drives smart card plan |url=https://www.itbusiness.ca/news/go-transit-drives-smart-card-plan/808 |access-date=15 April 2024 |work=IT Business |publisher=[[IT World Canada]] |date=19 April 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926102655/https://www.itbusiness.ca/news/go-transit-drives-smart-card-plan/808 |archive-date=26 September 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gm060900">{{cite news |last1=Luciw |first1=Roma |title=Transit riders get smart in Burlington |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/transit-riders-get-smart-in-burlington/article4164694/ |access-date=15 April 2024 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=9 June 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407051142/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/transit-riders-get-smart-in-burlington/article4164694/ |archive-date=7 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> During the pilot, 4,000 people used the cards and a total of 10,000 cards were issued. That year, the [[Ministry of Transportation of Ontario]] (MTO), in conjunction with GO Transit and GTHA municipalities, began investigating the merits of a regional fare card, and it began development by June 2003.<ref name=":1"/><ref name="pilotend">{{cite web |author1=[[GO Transit]] |title=Customer Q&A |url=http://gotransit.com/farecard/pilot_ending_q&a.htm |access-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030716233027/http://gotransit.com/farecard/pilot_ending_q&a.htm |archive-date=16 July 2003 |date=2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

GO did not continue its partnership with ERG after the pilot, preferring a more flexible system.<ref name=itwc041904/><ref name=pilotend/> Instead, GO opted to implement a different system in partnership with other Greater Toronto transit systems.<ref name=itwc041904/> They developed the specifications of the system around 2004 and in October 2006, the Ministry of Transportation signed a 10-year, $250-million contract with [[Accenture]] to design, develop and operate the base Presto system for the GTHA.<ref name=itwc041904/><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/annualreports/arreports/en12/309en12.pdf |title=2012 Annual Report: Section 3.09 Metrolinx—Regional Transportation Planning |website=Office of the Auditor General of Ontario}}</ref> Two major transit agencies, [[OC Transpo]] and the [[Toronto Transit Commission]] (TTC), agreed to adopt the fare card system in 2007 and 2009 respectively. The larger anticipated userbase prompted the MTO to decide on developing a new system, called Presto Next Generation (PNG). The [[Auditor General of Ontario]] criticized this move, suggesting that the base Presto system should have been expanded to accommodate [[OC Transpo]] and the [[Toronto Transit Commission]].<ref name=":1" />

[[Thales Group]] and [[Accenture]] were awarded the contract to supply this system in October 2009. Implementation was the responsibility of Metrolinx, of which Presto became an operating division in 2011.

The Presto project was strongly criticized by the [[Auditor General of Ontario]] in 2012 for "roll-out glitches, cost escalations and untendered contract extensions" and warned the system could become the world's most expensive fare-card implementation project.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/system-builder-of-presto-fare-card-had-poor-track-record/article6551526/ |title=System builder of Presto fare card had poor track record |access-date=8 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Lorinc |first=John |date=15 January 2014 |title=Presto Technology sold to Washington DC raises questions |url=https://spacing.ca/toronto/2014/01/15/presto-technology-sold-washington-d-c-raises-questions/ |url-status=live |journal=Spacing Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118160735/http://spacing.ca/toronto/2014/01/15/presto-technology-sold-washington-d-c-raises-questions/ |archive-date=18 January 2014 |access-date=1 March 2017}}</ref> Instead of putting the development Presto Next Generation out to competitive tender, Metrolinx simply increased the size of the original base contract awarded to Accenture in 2006. By 2012, the cost of the system ballooned to $700{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2012/12/12/auditor_general_says_presto_smart_card_cost_has_ballooned_to_700_million.html |title=Auditor general says Presto smart card cost has ballooned to $700{{nbsp}}million|work=Toronto Star |access-date=8 September 2018}}</ref>

The Presto rollout on the TTC's surface transit fleet have been marred with abnormally high failure rates of the readers themselves<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/10/06/presto-card-reader-woes-delay-bus-plans.html |title=12% of Presto card readers on buses don't work, Metrolinx audit says |website=Toronto Star |date=6 October 2016 |access-date=4 December 2016}}</ref> and cost overruns.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/10/12/presto-card-rollout-on-ttc-running-millions-over-budget.html |title=Presto card rollout on TTC running{{nbsp}}millions over budget |website=Toronto Star |date=12 October 2016 |access-date=4 December 2016}}</ref> A TTC position paper noted that faulty Presto card readers used by fare inspectors on the [[proof-of-payment]] [[Toronto streetcar system|streetcar system]] was making it "difficult to get customers to comply with inspections" and costing the TTC in lost fare revenue.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/03/12/ttc-internal-report-on-fare-evasion-raises-red-flags-over-lost-revenue.html |title=TTC internal report on fare evasion raises red flags over lost revenue |work=Toronto Star |access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref>

A 3 June 2017 story in the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' first reported that customers' Presto travel histories were provided to police authorities 12 times in the previous year, with a [[Warrant (law)|warrant]] having been required for only two of those disclosures and customers typically not having been notified that their records had been shared.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/06/03/metrolinx-has-been-quietly-sharing-presto-information-with-police.html |title=Metrolinx has been quietly sharing Presto users' information with police |last1=Spurr |first1=Ben |date=3 June 2017 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=20 June 2017}}</ref> The figures were confirmed by Metrolinx in later reports, stating that they had granted 12 of 26 requests received from various police agencies.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/metrolinx-presto-data-police-1.4145132 |title=Metrolinx provided customer Presto data to police 12 times in past year |last=Pelley |first=Lauren |date=3 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603235751/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/metrolinx-presto-data-police-1.4145132 |archive-date=3 June 2017 |url-status=live |work=[[CBC News]]}}</ref> In response to calls for reforming the data sharing system from experts and transit riding advocates, Metrolinx launched a formal review of its privacy policies.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/06/05/metrolinx-to-review-presto-privacy-policy.html |title=Metrolinx to review Presto privacy policy |last1=Spurr |first1=Ben |date=5 June 2017 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=20 June 2017}}</ref>

The rollout of the fare system and accompanying replacement fare gates on the TTC's [[Toronto subway|subway network]] was met with poor reliability<ref name=":0">{{cite news |work=Toronto Star |title=Failing Presto fare gates madden passengers |access-date=19 January 2017 |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/01/17/failing-presto-fare-gates-frustrate-passengers.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/01/04/presto-finch-station/ |title=Broken Presto readers cause long lineups at Finch Station |date=4 January 2018 |work=CityNews Toronto |access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> and issues with processing transactions. Presto was forced to use its existing software back-end for other municipal transit partners that have completed the roll-out, as the TTC has yet to develop its own dedicated infrastructure to process the larger volume of transactions it typically handles.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2018/01/26/ttc-struggling-with-presto-fare-gate-capacity.html |title=TTC struggling with Presto fare gate capacity |work=Toronto Star |access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> The new fare gates suffered from persistent mechanical and software problems, prompting the TTC to suspend the rollout for a month to work with the contractor, Scheidt & Bachmann, to resolve reliability issues.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/03/15/ttc-suspends-presto-fare-gate-installation-due-to-mechanical-software-problems.html |title=TTC suspends Presto fare-gate installation due to mechanical, software problems |work=Toronto Star |access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> As a result, over 2,000 motors on more than 1,000 gates had to be replaced in addition to numerous hardware and software updates.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/04/19/ttc-resumes-installation-of-presto-fare-gates.html |title=TTC resumes installation of Presto fare gates |work=Toronto Star |access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> The June 2018 deadline for the complete roll-out of Presto for the TTC will be further pushed to 2019 due to these ongoing issues, prompting a delay in the phasing out of cash fares, tokens and other legacy fare media.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/presto-conversion-delay-1.4695835 |title=The TTC will keep accepting tickets and tokens for another year and a half |work=CBC News |access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> As a result, the TTC will face higher fare collection costs as it incurs "transitional costs" of operating parts of Presto and the legacy fare regimes concurrently over the next few years.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/06/08/presto-to-cost-ttc-millions-more-than-current-fare-system.html |title=Presto to cost TTC{{nbsp}}millions more than current fare system |work=Toronto Star |access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings/2018/June_12/Reports/13_PRESTO_Update_and_Transition_Overview.pdf |title=PRESTO Update and Transition Overview |date=12 June 2018 |website=ttc.ca}}</ref> A situation TTC board member John Campbell describes as "totally inefficient".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/06/06/ttcs-conversion-to-presto-delayed-until-end-of-2019.html |title=TTC's conversion to Presto delayed until end of 2019 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref>

In its annual report released in 2018, Metrolinx indicated it expected the cost of the Presto system to reach $1.2{{nbsp}}billion, with $1{{nbsp}}billion already spent in the development and implementation the system between 2002 and March 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/09/07/ontarios-presto-costs-soar-to-12-billion.html |title=Ontario's Presto costs soar to $1.2{{nbsp}}billion|work=Toronto Star |access-date=8 September 2018}}</ref> While Presto was designed for complex fare transactions between GTA transit agencies, up until the fourth quarter of 2019, the system on TTC buses was not able to support the payment of special surcharges for TTC express downtown buses and TTC trips that enter Mississauga and York Region where a Miway or YRT fare was required. {{as of|2018|pre=late}}, the TTC Presto system at large continues to experience abnormally high failure rates.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/10/19/internal-ttc-briefing-slams-prestos-continued-performance-below-targets.html |title=Internal TTC briefing slams Presto's 'continued performance below targets' |work=Toronto Star |access-date=20 October 2018}}</ref> This led to an estimated loss of at least $3.4 million in revenue in 2018 alone according to the TTC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6076944/ttc-presto-auditor-general-report/|title=Toronto transit board to tackle auditor general's report on Presto issues|website=Global News|language=en|access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref> The 2018 Audit Work Plan by the auditor general of Ontario noted that the number of reports of Presto collection machines not functioning properly is likely under-counted and a breakdown in communication between Metrolinx, the TTC, and two of its vendors led to operational issues. This included a finding that over half the "out-of-service" incidents raised for the fare vending machines on the TTC's [[Flexity Outlook (Toronto streetcar)|new Flexity streetcars]] are "coin or token box full" errors, the root cause being miscommunication between the TTC and Metrolinx on coin and token collection leading to the vending machines not being emptied frequently enough.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings/2019/October_24/Reports/5_Review_of_TTC%27s_Revenue_Operations_Phase_Two_PRESTO_TTC_Fa.pdf|title=Review of Toronto Transit Commission's Revenue Operations: Phase Two – PRESTO/TTC Fare Equipment and PRESTO Revenue|accessdate=30 July 2023}}</ref>

In early 2018, Metrolinx detailed a plan to increase transit ridership by use of a mobile app (available for Android and iOS devices) which it released to the public for testing in beta version in late 2018. The Presto app was released in January 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Presto just released an app for iPhone and Android |url=https://www.blogto.com/city/2019/01/presto-released-app/ |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=www.blogto.com |language=en}}</ref> and allows transit users to reload their Presto card directly from their mobile device.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/new-presto-app-will-eventually-let-customers-pay-from-their-smartphones |title=New Presto app will (eventually) let customers pay from their smartphones |last=Oattes |first=Trevor |date=14 December 2018 |work=Ottawa Citizen |access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.blogto.com/city/2018/04/its-soon-going-be-lot-easier-use-presto/ |title=It's soon going to be a lot easier to use Presto |last=O'Neil |first=Lauren |date=April 2018 |work=blogTO |access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.prestocard.ca/en/about/presto-app |title=Presto App |website=Presto |access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref>

==Card use==
[[File:PrestoTappingTTC.ogg|thumb|Tapping a Presto card on a TTC streetcar]]
Presto cards are available to purchase at most [[Shoppers Drug Mart]] stores, transit centres in the GTHA and Ottawa, over the phone and online.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.prestocard.ca/en/find-an-outlet/customer-service-outlets |title=Customer Service Outlets |work=Presto Card |access-date=9 April 2019}}</ref> Beginning in Stage 3, cardholders will also be able to load passes for up to three transit systems at a time on to their Presto card. When boarding, riders tap the prepaid card, embedded with an [[RFID]] chip, on to a reader. The reader will then check for either a valid transit pass, or automatically deduct the lowest available fare from the card's balance stored in its [[Stored-value card|e-purse]] ("stored balance"). GO Transit and [[Union Pearson Express]] (UP Express or UPX) riders{{Snd}}whose fares are calculated by distance{{Snd}}and those riding TTC buses which travel into the City of Mississauga or York Region must also tap their cards at the end of their trip. Since the TTC joined Ontario's One Fare Program on 26 February 2024, no extra fare is charged if a rider taps off after crossing the fare zone boundary aboard a TTC bus within 2 hours (or 3 hours if GO Transit was used).

Presto readers show a large white check mark on a green background (if accepted) or a large white "X" on a red background (if declined), accompanied by one of several messages. For monthly, weekly and single-day transit passes, the expiry date is shown. For a stored-balance fare at initial tap-on, the reader shows the fare deducted, balance remaining, and transfer period allowed. For subsequent taps within the transfer window, the transfer time remaining is shown. GO Transit and Union Pearson Express readers, at both tap-on and tap-off, also shows much of the same information as those of a local system for a stored-balance fare at initial tap-on.

Loyalty programs are also available on some transit systems, where frequent use of the system results in greater discounts on fare payment.

The Presto card works on several transit systems and has other features:
* Autoload: The autoload feature allows cardholders to have a predetermined value automatically loaded onto their Presto card, when the stored balance value reaches a specified threshold. It will charge the cardholder's credit or debit card.
* Autorenew, for monthly passes: Six days before the end of each month, the next month's pass is automatically loaded onto the card. The new pass becomes effective the first day of the new month. Payment is charged as for an autoload.
* Lost card replacement: If a registered cardholder loses their Presto card, they can have their lost card blocked immediately upon reporting the loss, and the remaining balance transferred to a replacement card.
* Underpayment allowance: If a registered card has insufficient funds to pay a fare, but the balance is greater than $0 and has sufficient funds to cover the minimum base fare, the cardholder can incur a negative balance for one trip. This previously carried a fee of $0.25; however, this fee was dropped in November 2020.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Metrolinx |title=Overdraft fees scrapped, other changes coming for PRESTO |url=https://www.metrolinx.com/en/discover/overdraft-fees-scrapped,-other-changes-coming-for-presto |date=9 November 2020 }}</ref>
* Transit usage reports: Through an online account, a user can track transit usage, customize the data, and download it to a [[spreadsheet]] in [[Comma-separated values|CSV]] format.

A [[Braille]] letter "P" was placed on the Presto card to help distinguish it from other cards in a wallet, after consultation with feedback from visually impaired customers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/shared-values/why-new-accessibility-features-in-prestos-payment-system-still-fall-short |title=Why new accessibility features in Presto's payment system still fall short |last=Broverman |first=Aaron |date=3 May 2016 |work=TVOntario |access-date=4 February 2018}}</ref>

Presto cards purchased from the Presto website or from automated self-service vending machines in TTC, GO Transit and UP Express stations are set to the adult fare rates. For concessionary fares (such as child, senior, youth or post-secondary student), one must present the Presto card at either a transit centre or at some Shoppers Drug Mart locations with appropriate identification to have the concession fare rate set.

=== Mobile wallets ===
On 14 November 2023, Metrolinx made Presto cards available in [[Google Wallet]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=15 November 2023 |title=Metrolinx rolls out PRESTO card in Google Wallet |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/fare-collection/press-release/53078242/metrolinx-metrolinx-rolls-out-presto-card-in-google-wallet |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=Mass Transit |language=en}}</ref> On 16 July 2024, Metrolinx made Presto cards available in [[Apple Wallet]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Burman |first=Dilshad |date=16 July 2024 |title=GTHA iPhone users can now add PRESTO cards to their Apple wallets |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/07/16/iphone-users-can-now-add-presto-cards-to-their-apple-wallets/ |access-date=17 July 2024 |website=CityNews Toronto}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Apple and Metrolinx introduce PRESTO card for iPhone and Apple Watch |url=https://www.apple.com/ca/newsroom/2024/07/apple-and-metrolinx-introduce-presto-card-for-iphone-and-apple-watch/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Apple Newsroom (Canada) |language=en-CA}}</ref>

Presto cards in mobile wallets can be used on all transit systems which support regular Presto cards except [[OC Transpo]] in Ottawa.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Metrolinx – PRESTO card in Google Wallet is here – giving more ways to pay |url=https://www.metrolinx.com/en/news/presto-card-in-google-wallet-is-here-giving-more-ways-to-pay |access-date=14 November 2023 |website=www.metrolinx.com}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> Creation of a virtual card can be done through a mobile wallet's app or the Presto app at no cost. In addition, the settings and the balance of a physical Presto card can be transferred to a virtual card. This includes concession fare types (excluding the child fare type, which currently only remains available on physical Presto cards). The physical card will be cancelled after the transfer. Concession fares can be set on the virtual cards through the same methods as a physical card.

==Participation==
[[File:Presto card at Oriole Station (20181011172332).jpg|thumb|Presto card readers and self-serve vending machine at [[Oriole GO Station]]]]
[[File:Victoria Park Station 53.jpg|thumb|Presto card readers and self-serve vending machine at [[Victoria Park station (Toronto)|Victoria Park station]]]]
The following transit service providers use Presto:
* [[Brampton Transit]]
* [[Burlington Transit]]
* [[Durham Region Transit]]
* [[GO Transit]]
* [[Hamilton Street Railway]]
* [[MiWay]] (Mississauga)
* [[Oakville Transit]]
* [[OC Transpo]] (Ottawa)
* [[Toronto Transit Commission]]
* [[Union Pearson Express]]
* [[York Region Transit]]

The following transit service providers accept Presto for free transfers but not for purchasing fares:
* [[Barrie Transit]]
* [[Bradford West Gwillimbury Transit]]
* [[Grand River Transit]]
* [[Guelph Transit]]
* [[Milton Transit]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cm9.prestocard.ca/en/about/co-fare-discounts |title=Co-Fare Discounts |access-date=11 April 2024 |publisher=Metrolinx}}</ref>
* [[Niagara Falls Transit]]<ref name="NFT" />
* [[Société de transport de l'Outaouais]] (Gatineau, QC)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.octranspo.com/en/fares/payment/where-how-to-pay/oc-transpo-sto-fares/ |title=OC Transpo & STO |access-date=11 April 2024 |publisher=OC Transpo}}</ref>

===Rollout===
In July 2007, 500 commuters who normally commuted from [[Meadowvale GO Station|Meadowvale]] and [[Cooksville GO Station|Cooksville]] GO stations in [[Mississauga, Ontario|Mississauga]] to [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]] in downtown [[Toronto]] received a free card and tried the system under a trial termed "Launch 1".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prestocard.ca/en/launch_one/default.aspx |title=Launch 1 |access-date=16 May 2008 |publisher=Queens Printer for Ontario}}</ref> Officials decided to test the fare system on Mississauga's neighbourhood shuttle service in Meadowvale and Cooksville that transports passengers to GO Transit. During the Launch 1 trial, the Presto card could be used at:
* Miway (shuttle routes of 60 Meadowvale Shuttle-Crosscurrent, 62 Cooksville Shuttle-Webb, 63 Cooksville Shuttle-Kaneff, 64 Meadowvale Shuttle-Montevideo only)
* [[GO Transit]] ([[Meadowvale GO Station|Meadowvale]] and [[Cooksville GO Station|Cooksville]] GO stations only)
* [[Toronto Transit Commission]] ({{stl|TTC|Union}} subway station only)
The Launch 1 trial concluded 30 September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prestocard.ca/en/launch_one/default.aspx |title=Launch 1 |access-date=26 August 2008 |publisher=Queens Printer for Ontario}}</ref>

The Presto card was introduced in stages beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009.

{{hidden begin
|title = Presto card rollout (detailed table)
|titlestyle = background:#CCFF99; text-align:center;
}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Stage
!width=120|Date
!GO Transit
!Local systems
|-
|One<br />(field&nbsp;trial)
|30 November 2009
|[[Union Station (Toronto)|Union]], [[Oakville GO station|Oakville]], and [[Bronte GO station|Bronte]] stations
|
* TTC subway station:
** {{stl|TTC|Union}}
* Oakville Transit routes:
** 22: Upper Glen Abbey
** 32: Burloak North
** 110: West Industrial North
|-
|rowspan="7"|Two
|May 2010<ref name="HSR">{{cite web |url=http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/5D0B253A-E489-4462-87FC-174581E60B2B/0/Oct29Item63TransitDay2010PrestoPresentation27Oct09PrintVersion.pdf |title=PRESTO Implementation |access-date=17 March 2010 |author=Hamilton Public Works Department |page=4 |date=26 October 2009 |work=City of Hamilton website |publisher=City of Hamtilon |archive-date=15 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615193532/http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/5D0B253A-E489-4462-87FC-174581E60B2B/0/Oct29Item63TransitDay2010PrestoPresentation27Oct09PrintVersion.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|
[[Lakeshore West line|Lakeshore West]] rail line:
* 10 May: [[Oakville GO Station]]<ref name="TT20100604">{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/06/04-tap_go_pre.shtml |title=Tap, "GO", PRESTO! |work=Transit Toronto |quote=Aldershot GO Station and the Hamilton GO Centre become PRESTO service agencies this Monday, June 7 ... Oakville GO Station became a PRESTO service agencies, on Monday, May 10. Bronte GO Station became an agency on Monday, May 17. Appleby GO Station became a PRESTO agency on Tuesday, May 25 and Burlington GO Station on Monday, May 31. |date=4 June 2010 |access-date=24 July 2010}}</ref>
* 17 May: [[Bronte GO Station]]<ref name="TT20100604" />
* 24 May: [[Appleby GO Station]]<ref name="TT20100604" />
* 31 May: [[Burlington GO Station]]<ref name="TT20100604" />
|
* TTC subway stations:
** {{stl|TTC|Bloor–Yonge}}
** {{stl|TTC|College}}
** {{stl|TTC|Dundas}}
** {{stl|TTC|Queen's Park}}
** {{stl|TTC|St. George}}
** {{stl|TTC|St. Patrick}}
* 10 May: Adult fares for:
** Oakville Transit
** Burlington Transit
|-
<!-- Stage two still -->
|June 2010
|[[Lakeshore West line|Lakeshore West]] rail line:
* 7 June: [[Aldershot GO Station|Aldershot]], [[Hamilton GO Centre]]<ref name="TT20100604" />
* 17 June: [[Clarkson GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/06/21-clarkson_g.shtml |title=Clarkson GO Station now a PRESTO agency |work=Transit Toronto |date=21 June 2010 |access-date=24 July 2010}}</ref>
* 24 June: [[Port Credit GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/06/28-port_credi.shtml |title=Port Credit GO Station now a PRESTO agency |work=Transit Toronto |date=28 June 2010 |access-date=24 July 2010}}</ref>
* 30 June: [[Long Branch GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/07/05-long_branc.shtml |title=Long Branch GO Station now a PRESTO agency |work=Transit Toronto |date=5 July 2010 |access-date=24 July 2010}}</ref>
|
|-
<!-- Stage two still -->
|July 2010
||[[Lakeshore West line|Lakeshore West]] rail line:
* 7 July: [[Mimico GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/07/09-mimico_go_.shtml |title=Clarkson GO Station now a PRESTO agency |work=Transit Toronto |date=9 July 2010 |access-date=24 July 2010}}</ref>
* 14 July: [[Exhibition GO Station|Exhibition]] GO Station<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/07/15-exhibition.shtml |title=Exhibition GO Station now a PRESTO agency |work=Transit Toronto |date=15 July 2010 |access-date=24 July 2010}}</ref>
[[Milton line|Milton]] rail line:
* 28 July: [[Milton GO station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/PRESTOcard/status/19663085601 |title=PRESTO card |quote=Use your PRESTO card at Milton GO Station starting tomorrow! |date=27 July 2010 |access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>
|
* 26 July: TTC subway stations:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/PRESTOcard/status/19081751443 |title=PRESTO card |quote=TTC Kipling and Islington stations will be up and running on Monday, July 26 |work=Presto card official Twitter feed |date=21 July 2010 |access-date=24 July 2010}}</ref>
** {{stl|TTC|Islington}}
** {{stl|TTC|Kipling}}
|-
<!-- Stage two still -->
|August 2010
|[[Milton line|Milton]] rail line:
* 9 August: [[Lisgar GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/PRESTOcard/status/20708849396 |title=PRESTO card |quote=Use your PRESTO card at Lisgar GO Station starting today |date=9 August 2010 |access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>
* 13 August: [[Meadowvale GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/PRESTOcard/status/20980211722 |title=PRESTO card |quote=Use your PRESTO card at Meadowvale GO Station starting tomorrow |date=12 August 2010 |access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>
* 19 August: [[Streetsville GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/PRESTOcard/status/21497088047 |title=PRESTO card |quote=Streetsville GO Station is going online tomorrow |date=18 August 2010 |access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>
* 23 August: [[Dixie GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/PRESTOcard/status/21756459688 |title=PRESTO card |quote=Starting Monday, use your PRESTO card at Dixie GO Station! |date=21 August 2010 |access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>
* 30 August: [[Kipling GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/PRESTOcard/status/22526307459 |title=PRESTO card |quote=Kipling GO station is PRESTO-equipped today! |date=30 August 2010 |access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>
|
|-
<!-- Stage two still -->
|September 2010
|[[Milton line|Milton]] rail line:
* 23 September: [[Cooksville GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/PRESTOcard/status/25330255336 |title=PRESTO card |quote=Cooksville GO Station went live today |date=23 September 2010 |access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>
* 24 September: [[Erindale GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/PRESTOcard/status/25421922608 |title=PRESTO card |quote=Erindale GO went live today |date=24 September 2010 |access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>
|
|-
<!-- Stage two still -->
|October 2010
|[[Georgetown line|Georgetown]]{{efn|name=Kitchener|Now known as the Kitchener line}} rail line:
* 6 October: [[Mount Pleasant GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/10/05-you_can_us.shtml |title=You can use PRESTO fare cards at Mount Pleasant GO Station, October 6 |work=Transit Toronto |date=5 October 2010 |access-date=2 January 2011}}</ref>
* 14 October: [[Etobicoke North GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/10/13-you_can_us.shtml |title=You can use PRESTO fare cards at Etobicoke North GO Station, October 14 |work=Transit Toronto |date=13 October 2010 |access-date=2 January 2011}}</ref>
* 19 October: [[Malton GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/10/18-you_can_us.shtml |title=You can use PRESTO fare cards at Malton GO Station, October 19 |work=Transit Toronto |date=18 October 2010 |access-date=2 January 2011}}</ref>
|
|-
<!-- Stage two still -->
|November 2010
|[[Kitchener line|Georgetown]] rail line:
* 11 November: [[Bloor GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/11/10-you_can_us.shtml |title=You can use PRESTO fare cards at Bloor GO Station, November 11 |work=Transit Toronto |date=10 November 2010 |access-date=2 January 2011}}</ref>
* 17 November: [[Weston GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2010/11/16-you_can_us.shtml |title=You can use PRESTO fare cards at Weston GO Station, November 17 |work=Transit Toronto |date=16 October 2010 |access-date=2 January 2011}}</ref>
|
|-
|rowspan="13"|Three<ref name="Rollout">{{cite web |url=https://www.metrolinx.com/docs/Agendas/Nov16_10/Metrolinx_Update_November16_v6.pdf |title=PRESTOSystem |access-date=13 November 2010 |date=16 November 2010 |website=metrolinx.com |publisher=Metrolinx }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|December 2010
|[[Lakeshore East line|Lakeshore East]] rail line:
* 20 December: [[Ajax GO Station]]
* 23 December: [[Danforth GO Station]]
|
* TTC subway stations:
** 7 December: {{stl|TTC|Don Mills}}
** 23 December: {{stl|TTC|Downsview}}
|-
<!-- Stage three still -->
|January 2011
|
System-wide:
* Concession fares
[[Georgetown line|Georgetown]] rail line:
* 11 January: [[Bramalea GO Station]]
* 18 January: [[Georgetown GO Station]]
[[Lakeshore East line|Lakeshore East]] rail line:
* 17 January: [[Oshawa GO Station]]
* 19 January: [[Eglinton GO Station]]
* 25 January: [[Rouge Hill GO Station]]
* 27 January: [[Guildwood GO Station]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gotransit.com/public/en/fares/prestofaresMay1.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514131620/http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/fares/prestofaresMay1.aspx |archive-date=14 May 2010 |title=GOTransit.com – PRESTO}}</ref>
|
* 3 January: Concession fares for:
** Burlington Transit
** Oakville Transit
* 25 January:
** {{stl|TTC|Finch}} subway station
** MiWay routes:<ref name="MiWay">{{cite web |url=http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/miway/presto |title=Mississauga.ca – MiWay – Presto |access-date=3 January 2011}}</ref>
*** 32: Lisgar GO
*** 62: Cooksville Shuttle – Webb
*** 64: Meadowvale Shuttle – Montevideo
|-
<!-- Stage three still -->
|February 2011
|
[[Lakeshore East line|Lakeshore East]] rail line:
* 3 February: [[Whitby GO Station]]
[[Barrie line|Barrie]] rail line:
* 16 February:
** [[Barrie South GO Station]]
** [[East Gwillimbury GO Station]]
* 17 February: [[Bradford GO Station]]
* 22 February: [[King City GO Station]]
|
|-
<!-- Stage three still -->
|March 2011
|
[[Barrie line|Barrie]] rail line:
* 2 March: [[York University GO Station]]
* 7 March: [[Newmarket GO Station]]
* 11 March: [[Rutherford GO Station]]
* 15 March: [[Maple GO Station]]
* 17 March: [[Aurora GO Station]]

[[Lakeshore East line|Lakeshore East]] rail line:
* 3 March: [[Scarborough GO Station]]

[[Richmond Hill line|Richmond Hill]] rail line:
* 22 March: [[Langstaff GO Station]]
* 24 March: [[Oriole GO Station]]
* 29 March: [[Old Cummer GO Station]]

[[Stouffville line|Stouffville]] rail line:
* 31 March: [[Kennedy GO Station]]
|
|-
|April 2011
|
[[Stouffville line|Stouffville]] rail line:
* 18 April: [[Centennial GO Station]]
* 21 April: [[Agincourt GO Station]]

[[Richmond Hill line|Richmond Hill]] rail line:
* 20 April: [[Richmond Hill GO Station]]
|
|-
|May 2011
|
[[Stouffville line|Stouffville]] rail line:
* 11 May: [[Old Elm GO Station]]
* 18 May: [[Unionville GO Station]]
* 19 May: [[Mount Joy GO Station]]
* 20 May: [[Markham GO Station]]
* 24 May: [[Stouffville GO Station]]
* 30 May: [[Milliken GO Station]]
|
* 4 May: Hamilton Street Railway<ref name="Hamilton">{{cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2011/05/06-you_can_us.shtml |title=You can use PRESTO cards on HSR buses, starting May 4 |access-date=8 May 2011}}</ref>
* 30 May:
** adult fares for MiWay<ref name="Mississauga">{{cite web |url=http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/miway/presto |title=MiWay – Presto |access-date=26 May 2011}}</ref>
** Brampton Transit<ref name="Brampton">{{cite web |url=https://www.brampton.ca/en/residents/transit/Fares/Pages/PRESTO.aspx |title=City of Brampton – PRESTO |access-date=26 May 2011}}</ref>
|-
|June 2011
|
[[Lakeshore East line|Lakeshore East]] rail line:
* 2 June: [[Pickering GO Station]]
|
* 27 June: co-fares for Durham Region Transit
|-
|July 2011
|
[[Georgetown line|Georgetown]] rail line:
* 13 July: [[Brampton GO Station]]
|
* 18 July: York Region Transit<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yrt.ca/en/fares-and-passess/about-presto.aspx |title=YRT/Viva |publisher=York Region Transit |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=22 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322063937/https://www.yrt.ca/en/fares-and-passess/about-presto.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|August 2011
|
[[Lakeshore West line|Lakeshore West]] rail line:
* 5 August:
**[[Niagara Falls, Ontario railway station|Niagara Falls VIA Station]]
**[[St. Catharines, Ontario railway station|St. Catharines VIA Station]]

System-wide:
* 23 August: GO Transit buses<ref>{{cite web |last=Mackenzie |first=Robert |url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2011/08/23-you_can_no.shtml |title=You can now use PRESTO cards on GO buses – Transit Toronto – Weblog |work=Transit Toronto |date=23 August 2011 |access-date=21 October 2016}}</ref>
|
|-
|Q4 2011
|
|
* Concession fares for MiWay<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/miway/prestoconcession |title=MiWay – PRESTO Concession |work=Mississauga.ca |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022023346/http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/miway/prestoconcession |url-status=dead }}</ref> ([[soft launch]])
|-
|February 2012
|
[[Barrie line|Barrie]] rail line:
* 21 February: [[Allandale Waterfront GO Station]]
[[Kitchener line|Kitchener]] rail line:
* 21 February:
**[[Kitchener GO Station]]
**[[Guelph Central GO Station]]
|
* GO Bus co-fares for MiWay{{efn|name=presto-only|Exclusive for Presto cardholders only}}
|-
|March 2012
|
|
* 17 March: {{stl|TTC|Yorkdale}} subway station
* 26 March:
** {{stl|TTC|York Mills}} subway station
** GO Bus co-fares for Brampton Transit{{efn|name=presto-only}}
|-
<!-- Stage three still -->
|2013
|
|
* regular fares for Durham Region Transit
|-
|rowspan="5"|Four
|Q2 2013
|
|
*OC Transpo
|-
|2014
|
|
* Q4: {{stl|TTC|Spadina}} subway station
* November: [[510 Spadina]] (only on [[Flexity Outlook (Toronto streetcar)|Flexity Outlook]] vehicles)
|-
|2015
|
|
* 29 March: [[509 Harbourfront]] (only on [[Flexity Outlook (Toronto streetcar)|Flexity Outlook]] vehicles)
* 6 June: [[Union Pearson Express]]
* TTC subway stations:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.getpres.to/whenandwhere |title=Where Can I Pay With Presto? |website=www.getpres.to |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203035151/http://www.getpres.to/whenandwhere |archive-date=3 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
** {{stl|TTC|Bathurst}}
** {{stl|TTC|Dundas West}}
** {{stl|TTC|Davisville}}
** {{stl|TTC|King}}
** {{stl|TTC|Queen}}
** {{stl|TTC|Sheppard–Yonge}}
** {{stl|TTC|Broadview}}
** {{stl|TTC|St. Andrew}}
** {{stl|TTC|Osgoode}}
** {{stl|TTC|Scarborough Centre}}
* [[Toronto streetcar system]]
|-
|2016
|
[[Richmond Hill line|Richmond Hill]] rail line:
* 5 December: [[Gormley GO Station]]
|
* [[Wheel-Trans]]
* Across the [[Toronto Transit Commission bus system]] by stage:
** 31 May: Queensway
** August: Wilson and Arrow Road
** October: Malvern and Mount Dennis
** December: Birchmount and Eglinton
* TTC subway stations:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/PRESTO/PRESTO_Subway.jsp |title=On the Subway |website=www.ttc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ttc.ca/Service_Advisories/Construction/PRESTO_construction.jsp |title=PRESTO fare gate installation and construction |access-date=29 October 2016 |archive-date=29 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029114327/http://ttc.ca/Service_Advisories/Construction/PRESTO_construction.jsp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ttc.ca">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ttc.ca/PDF/Maps/Presto_Station_Map.pdf |title=TTC Presto Stations |access-date=9 April 2019 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114156/http://www.ttc.ca/PDF/Maps/Presto_Station_Map.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
** {{stl|TTC|Wilson}}
** {{stl|TTC|Lawrence West}}
** {{stl|TTC|Glencairn}}
** {{stl|TTC|Eglinton West}}
** {{stl|TTC|St. Clair West}}
** {{stl|TTC|Dupont}}
** {{stl|TTC|Wellesley}}
** {{stl|TTC|Rosedale}}
** {{stl|TTC|St. Clair}}
** {{stl|TTC|Eglinton}}
** {{stl|TTC|Lawrence}}
** {{stl|TTC|North York Centre}}
** {{stl|TTC|Bayview}}
** {{stl|TTC|Bessarion}}
** {{stl|TTC|Leslie}}
** {{stl|TTC|McCowan}}
** {{stl|TTC|Midland}}
** {{stl|TTC|Ellesmere}}
** {{stl|TTC|Lawrence East}}
** {{stl|TTC|Kennedy}}
** {{stl|TTC|Warden}}
** {{stl|TTC|Victoria Park}}
** {{stl|TTC|Main Street}}
** {{stl|TTC|Woodbine}}
** {{stl|TTC|Coxwell}}
** {{stl|TTC|Greenwood}}
** {{stl|TTC|Donlands}}
** {{stl|TTC|Pape}}
** {{stl|TTC|Chester}}
** {{stl|TTC|Castle Frank}}
** {{stl|TTC|Sherbourne}}
** {{stl|TTC|Bay}}
** {{stl|TTC|Museum}}
** {{stl|TTC|Christie}}
** {{stl|TTC|Ossington}}
** {{stl|TTC|Dufferin}}
** {{stl|TTC|Lansdowne}}
** {{stl|TTC|Keele}}
** {{stl|TTC|High Park}}
** {{stl|TTC|Runnymede}}
** {{stl|TTC|Jane}}
** {{stl|TTC|Old Mill}}
** {{stl|TTC|Royal York}}
|-
|17 December 2017
|
|
* TTC subway stations:<ref>{{cite tweet|number=940623642924331008|user=PRESTOcard|title=With PRESTO, travel seamlessly across TTC's Line 1 Extension, which opens as of December 17th. Get a card today at...|date=12 December 2017}}</ref>
** {{stl|TTC|Downsview Park}}
** {{stl|TTC|Finch West}}
** {{stl|TTC|York University}}
** {{stl|TTC|Pioneer Village}}
** {{stl|TTC|Highway 407}}
** {{stl|TTC|Vaughan Metropolitan Centre}}
|-
|
|2019
|
|
* 29 July: Paying MiWay fares with a Presto card on TTC routes in [[Mississauga]] (52B/D Lawrence West)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2019/07/28-you_can_us.shtml|title=You can use your PRESTO card to pay your fare on TTC buses in Mississauga, starting July 29 – Transit Toronto – Weblog|website=transittoronto.ca|accessdate=30 July 2023}}</ref>
* 26 August:
** Paying YRT fares with a Presto card on TTC routes in [[York Region]] (17A Birchmount, 68B Warden, 102D Markham Road, 129A McCowan North, 160 Bathurst North)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/Fare_information/GTA_Zone_Fares.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080814212240/http://www3.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/Fare_information/GTA_Zone_Fares.jsp |archive-date=14 August 2008 |title=TTC GTA Zone Fares}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yrt.ca/en/news/paying-with-presto-on-ttc-in-york-region-begins-august-26.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810043744/https://www.yrt.ca/en/news/paying-with-presto-on-ttc-in-york-region-begins-august-26.aspx |archive-date=10 August 2019 |title=Beginning August 26, pay with PRESTO on TTC in York Region – YRT}}</ref>
** Paying the full-double fare with a Presto card on the TTC's Downtown Express routes<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2019/08/21-you_can_us.shtml|title=You can use your PRESTO card for extra fares aboard TTC downtown express buses, August 26 – Transit Toronto – Weblog|website=transittoronto.ca|accessdate=30 July 2023}}</ref>
|}
{{hidden end}}

====Stage 1====
The first stage of the production rollout schedule was launched on 30 November 2009 and included a limited number of recruited customers to test the system.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.prestocard.ca/StaticContent/Gtafs |title=About PRESTO |access-date=9 March 2010 |publisher=Queens Printer for Ontario}}</ref> Stage One included Oakville, Bronte and Union GO Stations, TTC Union Subway Station, and ten Oakville Transit buses on three routes.

====Stage 2====
The second stage of the production rollout schedule was launched on 10 May 2010. In this stage, the Presto system became available to the general public and transit users were able to purchase Presto cards and use them at participating stations and transit systems. Stage Two was launched similarly to Stage One, but with full participation from Oakville Transit and Burlington Transit. GO Transit continued its system-wide rollout, with the Lakeshore East, Milton and Georgetown lines coming online at a rate of a few stations a week. The Toronto Transit Commission added six downtown stations (St. George, Queen's Park, St. Patrick, Dundas, College, Bloor/Yonge) to the Presto system. Two more stations (Kipling and Islington) were added in mid-2010. The third stage of the production rollout schedule was scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2010 to bring more transit systems and stations into the Presto system.

====Stage 3====
The third stage of the rollout schedule expanded the rollout to a larger scale, covering the entire [[Area codes 905 and 289#905 in popular culture|905 region]] and Hamilton. GO Transit completed its rollout for trains and buses in mid-2012. Since then, all new GO Train stations and buses have had Presto readers on the first day of service.

In the end of this stage, all but two local transit systems had completed their rollout. Hamilton Street Railway was the first to roll out in this stage on 3 May 2011. Brampton Transit became fully Presto-enabled on 30 May 2011. On the same date, MiWay made the farecard available to adult passengers only.<ref name="MiWay" /> Durham Region Transit launched Presto card for co-fares with GO Transit on 27 June 2011. Almost a month later, York Region Transit launched the Presto card in all of its Vivastations and buses. The TTC added Presto card as fare payment option in Don Mills, Downsview, Finch, Yorkdale and York Mills subway stations. In this stage, concession fares were added for GO Transit, Oakville Transit, Burlington Transit, Brampton Transit, York Region Transit and MiWay; and co-fares for GO buses have been offered by MiWay and Brampton Transit exclusively for Presto cardholders. Also in this stage, only Durham Region Transit remains to roll out its regular fares.

Presto's self-service kiosks debuted at Union Station for a pilot project during this period. Reception of the pilot kiosks was found to be favourable.<ref name="OCTTC2">{{cite web |url=http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/presentations/Public%20Metrolinx%20Board_Feb%20Final%20%5BCompatibility%20Mode%5D.pdf |title=Microsoft PowerPoint – Public Metrolinx Board_Feb Final [Compatibility Mode&#93; |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=29 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629095503/http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/presentations/Public%20Metrolinx%20Board_Feb%20Final%20%5BCompatibility%20Mode%5D.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The pilot kiosks have since been removed and a widespread rollout of automated reload systems is ongoing throughout GO, TTC, and Union Pearson Express stations.

====Stage 4 and Presto Next Generation====
The fourth stage of the rollout added Ottawa's OC Transpo, commencing as a soft launch in the second quarter of 2012 and as a full rollout on 18 May 2013. It is the only agency to receive the Presto card so far outside the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. This stage involved the initial rollout of Presto Next Generation (PNG). OC Transpo's Presto readers are compatible with the [[Société de transport de l'Outaouais]]'s new Multi farecards and Presto cards are compatible with pass readers on STO buses, thus facilitating transfers between the two.

Stage Four also marked the extensive rollout of the Presto fare system on the TTC, also using the Presto Next Generation system, while the participating transit systems that had already fully rolled out in the earlier stages were to receive Presto Next Generation cards late in the fourth quarter of 2012. Payment by other means, such as open payment and mobile payment systems, will also be made compatible with this updated version of Presto card.<ref name="OCTTC1">{{cite web |url=http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/board_agenda/20110915/Presto_update20110915.pdf |title=Microsoft PowerPoint – Public Metrolinx Board_September_V12.ppt [Compatibility Mode&#93; |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=29 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629162137/http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/board_agenda/20110915/Presto_update20110915.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Stage Four and Presto Next Generation had been criticized for numerous delays with launching OC Transpo service. Metrolinx set 1 July 2012 as the Presto launch date for Ottawa, but in June 2012, it was postponed to 1 February 2013. City staff decided to launch Presto in several stages for 2013, the last of which occurred on 18 May 2013.<ref name="OttawaSun">{{cite web |last=Willing |first=Jon |url=https://ottawasun.com/2012/11/21/presto-more-delays-in-oc-transpo-smart-cards/wcm/64d22f42-1225-4507-92d9-5ebb0f7144a6 |title=Presto: More delays in OC Transpo smart cards &#124; Ottawa & Region &#124; News &#124; Ottawa |work=Ottawa Sun |access-date=21 October 2016}}</ref>

The first major addition of Presto on the TTC took place in the fourth quarter of 2014, with the introduction of Presto card machines in several more Toronto subway stations, and the launch of new streetcars equipped with this system (see below).

===TTC participation===
{{see also|Toronto Transit Commission fares#Presto fare media}}

===Expansion===
* Toronto Transit Commission: Expansions in the TTC will be Presto-equipped from their opening day, which includes [[Line 5 Eglinton]] and [[Line 6 Finch West]].
* GO Transit: All future GO stations will be Presto-equipped as early as the station opening.
* Other transit systems: Requirements are being developed in order to incorporate additional transit agencies into Presto card. Many transit systems in the Greater Golden Horseshoe have expressed interest in adopting the Presto card as a fare payment system:
**[[Milton Transit]], the only transit system in the Greater Toronto Area that has not participated during the first phase, is working with Metrolinx to adopt the farecard.<ref name="Milton">{{cite web |url=https://www.milton.ca/MeetingDocuments/Council/agendas2009/rpts2009/COMS-007-09%202009-2013%20Strategic%20Plan%20for%20Transit%20Services%20-%20Draft.pdf |title=2009–2013 Strategic Plan for Transit Services Draft |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222921/http://www.milton.ca/MeetingDocuments/Council/agendas2009/rpts2009/COMS-007-09%202009-2013%20Strategic%20Plan%20for%20Transit%20Services%20-%20Draft.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
** [[Guelph Transit]] is exploring its options in adopting the Presto card as a fare payment system.<ref name="OCTTC1" />
** [[Grand River Transit]] expressed interest in participating with the rollout of the Presto card but now has decided to go to another system.<ref name="OCTTC1" /><ref name="GRT">{{cite web |url=http://www.grt.ca/en/doingBusiness/resources/GRT2011-2014BusinessPlanExecutiveSummary.pdf |title=Grand River Transit Business Plan to 2014 |website=www.grt.ca |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305213840/http://www.grt.ca/en/doingBusiness/resources/GRT2011-2014BusinessPlanExecutiveSummary.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
** Negotiations with [[Barrie Transit]] are ongoing with regards to the adoption of Presto card.<ref name="Barrie">{{cite web |author=nurun.com |url=http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2981913&auth=&archive=true |title=Presto! New card unveiled |work=Barrie Examiner |access-date=21 October 2016}}</ref>
** [[Niagara Falls Transit]]'s new fareboxes are designed to be capable of handling Presto cards, and are now participating for those transferring from a GO Bus or Train.<ref name="NFT">[http://floridaapts.lctr.org/RFPs/EFPS/Niagara%20Falls%20Transit.pdf Niagara Falls Transit] floridaapts.lctr.org {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042306/http://floridaapts.lctr.org/RFPs/EFPS/Niagara%20Falls%20Transit.pdf |date=4 March 2016 }}</ref>
** Discussions in [[St. Catharines Transit]] are underway for participation in Presto.<ref name="STC">{{cite web |url=http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/article/1055913--just-tap-to-go |title=Just tap to GO |work=Niagarathisweek.com |date=11 August 2011 |access-date=21 October 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129191151/https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/3257904-just-tap-to-go/ |archive-date=29 January 2018}}</ref>
** [[Niagara Region Transit]]'s operators are also interested in adopting the farecard.<ref name="STC" />

==Fares==
Participating transit systems have different fares and fare policies when using the Presto card compared to traditional fare media; generally, passengers receive a discount using Presto compared to cash fares. The implementation of the Presto card has also unified the fare categories of GO Transit and local transit agencies, with local transit agencies adopting the GO Transit standard: local transit agencies used to have different age limits for child and senior fares and different types of students that may use student fares (some excluding post-secondary students while others do not). Registered Presto card holders are assessed the senior or child fares as appropriate. Student fare classification must be activated by the card-issuing transit authority through its normal procedures, which differ between transit systems. For example, post-secondary student fares are classified as students in only GO Transit and MiWay, while the rest classify them under the adult category.

{| class="wikitable"
!Agency !! Adult !! Senior !! Child !! Youth !! GO {{nowrap|co-fare}} !! Period pass !! Loyalty program !! Notes
|-
| [[Brampton Transit]] || $3.40 || $1.75 || $2.00 || $2.80 || {{Yes|Free}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || Passengers taking more than 12 non-co-fare trips in a calendar week (Monday to Sunday) may ride the system for free for the remainder of the week. Brampton senior residents aged 65 and older ride free with a valid Presto card.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brampton.ca/EN/residents/transit/Fares/Pages/TransitFares.aspx|title = Bus Fares}}</ref>
|-
| [[Burlington Transit]] || $2.75 || Free || Free || $1.90 || {{Yes|Free}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || Passengers taking more than 40 non-co-fare trips in a calendar month ride the system for free for the remainder of the month. With a Presto card, seniors age 65 and older ride free, while teenagers can ride fare-free from 6{{nbsp}}pm until end of service on weekdays and all-day on weekends.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.burlington.ca/en/transit/fares.aspx|title=Fares|date=31 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[Durham Region Transit]] || $3.78 || $2.46 || Free || $3.36 || {{Yes|Free}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} ||
|-
| [[GO Transit]] || $3.70* || $1.97* || Free || $3.40* || {{N/A}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || Minimum fare required to begin travel. * GO Transit fares depend on originating and destination fare zones and must be tapped on when starting travel and tapped off upon completion of travel on a GO. Fare adjustments will be reconciled upon tapping off. Users can set a default trip, usually a daily commute, requiring tap-on only. For trips other than the default, a user can push an override button on the reader before tapping on and must tap off at the other end. Doing so will reset the card to the default trip. Children ages 12 and under, along with veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members, ride fare-free on GO Transit.<ref>https://www.gotransit.com/en/travelling-on-go/veterans-and-caf</ref>
|-
| [[Hamilton Street Railway]] || $2.80 || $2.35 || Free{{efn|Children ages 6–12 years old can ride fare-free only when using the child concession Presto card. Those travelling without a Presto card are charged the full cash fare of $3.50. As with all other GTHA transit systems, children ages 5 and under can ride fare-free without a Presto card when travelling with an accompanying fare-paying adult.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hamilton.ca/hsr-bus-schedules-fares/fares/fares-and-photo-ids | title=Fares and Photo IDs | date=30 October 2020 }}</ref>}}|| $2.35 || {{Yes|Free}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || All HSR passes, except 72 hour passes, may be stored as period passes on the Presto card. Passengers taking more than 11 non-co-fare trips in a calendar week (Monday to Sunday) may ride the system for free for the remainder of the week. Hamilton residents age 80+ ride free with a valid Presto card.
|-
| [[MiWay]] (Mississauga) || $3.40 || Free || Free || $2.65 || {{Yes|Free}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || Passengers taking more than 11 non-co-fare trips in a calendar week (Monday to Sunday) may ride the system for free for the remainder of the week. Seniors aged 65 and up must use a senior Presto card to ride fare-free, otherwise they will need to pay the $1.00 cash fare or $4.25 with a contactless credit or debit card. Children aged 12 and under ride fare-free by tapping a child Presto card or when they are travelling with a fare-paying customer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2023 |title=Fare prices – MiWay |url=https://www.mississauga.ca/miway-transit/fares/fare-prices/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512160720/https://www.mississauga.ca/miway-transit/fares/fare-prices/ |archive-date=12 May 2023 |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=[[MiWay]]}}</ref><ref>https://www.mississauga.ca/miway-transit/announcements/seniors-ages-65-can-ride-miway-for-free-with-a-presto-card/</ref>
|-
| [[Oakville Transit]] || $3.45 || Free || Free || Free || {{Yes|Free}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || A valid Presto card is required for youths and seniors in order to take advantage of the fare-free programs, those without a Presto card must pay their $4.00 fare by cash or contactless credit or debit card. Children aged 12 and under can ride free by tapping the child Presto card or by travelling with a fare-paying customer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Youth and seniors ride free |url=https://www.oakvilletransit.ca/youth-seniors-ride-free.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404113352/https://www.oakvilletransit.ca/youth-seniors-ride-free.html |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=Oakville Transit}}</ref>
|-
| [[OC Transpo]] (Ottawa) || $3.80 || $2.90 || Free* || $3.80 || {{N/A|No}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || Youth passengers are offered a discounted monthly pass. Children ages 10 and under ride free, while those ages 11-12 pay a pre-teen fare of $2.00.{{cn|date=July 2025}}
|-
| [[Toronto Transit Commission|Toronto{{nbsp}}Transit{{nbsp}}Commission]] || $3.30 || $2.25 || Free || $2.35 || {{Yes|Free}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || Presto fares are $0.05 less than cash fare. Since early 2018, those with disabilities or who are low-income are eligible for the Fair Pass discount, which allows those with the discount to pay a $2.00 fare instead. In addition, 1-ride, 2-ride and all-day TTC Presto tickets are also available for use (see [[Toronto Transit Commission fares]] for details).
|-
| [[Union Pearson Express]] || $9.25* || $5.80* || Free || $7.41* || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || Price listed is for travel between Pearson and Union stations. Lower fares apply for travel to Weston or Bloor station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.upexpress.com/en/ways-to-pay/up-express-fares |title=UP Express Fares |access-date=26 February 2024 |publisher=Metrolinx}}</ref> Unlike GO Transit, fare integration with local transit agencies is not available.
|-
| [[York Region Transit]] || $4.12 || $2.52 || $2.52 || $3.19 || {{Yes|Free}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || Presto card customers riding on TTC buses operating in York Region (north of Steeles Avenue) are charged at the YRT Presto fare rate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yrt.ca/en/fares-and-passess/about-presto.aspx |title=About PRESTO |website=www.yrt.ca |date=14 February 2022 |access-date=13 May 2017 |archive-date=22 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322063937/https://www.yrt.ca/en/fares-and-passess/about-presto.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> YRT discontinued the sale and use of monthly passes from January 2024 onwards. It was replaced by a monthly fare capping system only available on the Presto card, where adults get free travel after 40 consecutive fare-paid trips in the calendar month, after 39 trips for youths and after 28 trips for seniors and children.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yrt.ca/en/fares-and-passes/fare-capping-program.aspx | title=Fare Capping Program | date=16 February 2024 }}</ref>
|}
[[File:UnionvilleGOStationPrestoReader.jpg|thumb|Presto reader at [[Unionville GO Station]]]]

Other Presto card fare notes:
*GO Transit: Fares for adult and student passengers between two fare zones are reduced to levels comparable to that of 10-ride tickets formerly offered by GO Transit. The loyalty discount system is in place where passengers frequently travelling between two fare zones will receive further discounts after 30 (student) or 35 trips (adult) in a single month, so the fare paid per month never exceeds that of the corresponding GO Transit monthly pass. Fares for senior passengers do not receive a further discount beyond the same 50% of adult (ticket) prices offered via traditional fare media. See [[GO Transit fares]] for more information.
** Passengers connecting to local transit from GO Transit will only be assessed the co-fare, if applicable, on the Presto card if the GO Transit trip was also assessed to the Presto card; the full local fare will be assessed otherwise. Passengers connecting to GO transit from local transit will have their co-fare discounts assessed when disembarking from their GO Transit trips.
*OC Transpo (Ottawa): Presto cards registered to addresses in Quebec may not use the Presto card when boarding OC Transpo buses, as per existing residency policies between OC Transpo and STO; STO fare media (including the [[STO Passe-Partout PLUS Card]]) must be used instead.
** The "free fares for Seniors category on Wednesdays" is not enforced by Presto systems; a full fare will be assessed. Seniors riding OC Transpo buses on Wednesdays are encouraged to avoid tapping their Presto cards therein, unless intending to transfer to STO buses. [[File:PrestoCardFinchTTC.JPG|thumb|Presto card readers at [[Finch station|Finch subway station]]. Legacy turnstiles like these were replaced with new paddle-door faregates at subway stations across the TTC subway system.]]
*Toronto Transit Commission: The TTC has implemented the Presto card machines at all 70 [[Toronto subway|subway]] stations, and on-board all TTC conventional buses and streetcars. As of 26 February 2024, customers paying by Presto, debit or credit card can receive either a free or discounted transfer between TTC, GO Transit and other participating local 905 transit agencies ([[Brampton Transit]], [[Burlington Transit]], [[Durham Regional Transit]], [[Hamilton Street Railway]], [[MiWay]], [[Oakville Transit]] and [[York Regional Transit]]). However, this does not apply to the [[Union Pearson Express]]. Since 26 August 2018, there is also a 2-hour time-based transfer window available to Presto card or ticket holders who pay single fares using their stored card or ticket balance; with this transfer, customers are entitled to unlimited travel for two hours across the TTC network, from their first tap of the Presto card or ticket, and have the ability to enter and exit any TTC vehicle (bus or streetcar) or subway station and/or switch directions without having to pay another fare. Unlike the other Greater Toronto transit agencies, the time-based transfer is currently not available for those who carry TTC paper transfers; these are good for a continuous one-way trip with no stopovers or backtracking permitted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/PRESTO/Two-Hour_Transfer.jsp|title=TTC Two-hour transfer|accessdate=30 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cp24.com/news/new-one-fare-program-begins-on-monday-in-the-gta-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-1.6783133 |access-date=27 February 2024 |title=New 'One Fare' program begins on Monday in the GTA. Here's what you need to know |date=25 February 2024 }}</ref> [[File:VivaValidationMachine.JPG|thumb|Viva OneRide and Presto machines at a Vivastation]]
** YRT fares are assessed when boarding [[501 Züm Queen]] buses in York Region due to fare integration with YRT, and both YRT and Brampton Transit fare media are accepted for [[Züm]] buses in York Region. Passengers holding a Brampton Transit period pass will not be assessed a fare when boarding a Züm bus in York Region but will be assessed a fare for transferring to or from a YRT bus. In the case of [[Viva Orange]], a YRT-operated [[Viva Rapid Transit|Viva]] [[bus rapid transit]] (BRT) route, which is on a [[proof-of-payment]] (POP) system, while Züm buses (also BRT) are pay-as-you-board, it does not matter whether fares are deducted at the Vivastation vending machine or on board a Züm bus, except in the case of Brampton Transit period pass holders.
** Effective 26 August 2019, the Presto card can be used to pay a YRT fare on TTC bus routes that travel in York Region (north of Steeles Avenue), but limited-use TTC Presto tickets are not accepted.

===Inter-agency transfers===
Local transit systems (except for OC Transpo) within the Presto card's service area honour transfers from neighbouring transit systems, and transferring between neighbouring transit systems continues to be honoured with the Presto Card where they were honoured with traditional fare media.

On most transit agencies, paper transfers are not required for Presto card users since the card itself acts as POP which can also be used to transfer from vehicle to vehicle or vehicle to station (and vice versa) and/or to show enforcement officers on designated POP routes on which they carry hand-held devices to verify that payment was made (tapped on upon entry to the station or vehicle) except in the following cases:
* "Companion fares" – using stored value in the Presto card e-purse to pay fares for two or more passengers; paper transfers will be issued for all passengers other than the cardholder.
* Depending on the transit operators involved, transferring from a local transit agency where the passenger has a local period pass to a neighbouring transit agency where the passenger does not (such as from Hamilton Street Railway to Burlington Transit while the Presto Card has a period pass for HSR); a full fare for the second transit agency will otherwise be assessed to the Presto Card.

As the Presto card is meant to replace paper transfers along with cash, tickets, tokens and paper passes, local transit operators have generally adopted the Presto card's transfer policies in their paper transfers (in the sense that, with the exception of the TTC and OC Transpo, all local transit operators accept each other's transfers, and will not reissue transfers originally issued by other local transit operators), except for a generally longer transfer window provided by the Presto card.

===Use with non-Presto agencies===
*[[Barrie Transit]]: GO Transit users allowed to transfer to Barrie Transit buses for free by presenting their Presto cards at applicable connection points.
*[[Guelph Transit]]: Free transfers to and from GO Transit are offered for Presto card users or other GO media to and from Guelph Central GO Station.
*[[Grand River Transit]]: Free transfers to and from GO Transit are offered for Presto card users to and from Kitchener GO Station.
*[[Milton Transit]]: GO Transit users allowed to transfer to Milton Transit buses for free by presenting their Presto cards or other GO media at applicable connection points.
*[[Société de transport de l'Outaouais]] (STO): Presto card is compatible with STO Multi Card readers on STO buses. Passengers may use the Presto card to transfer to STO from OC Transpo; passengers with an OC Transpo monthly pass loaded on the Presto card may also board STO buses without having previously transferred from OC Transpo.
** STO Multi Card readers are unable to deduct cash fares from Presto card holders. As such, the Presto cards may not be used to board an STO bus directly, nor provide companion fares.

==Presto ticket==
{{see also|Toronto Transit Commission fares}}

[[File:TTC_Presto_ticket.jpg|thumb|A limited-use, one-ride TTC Presto ticket]]

A Presto ticket is a single-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; it cannot be used for any other regional service providers or on TTC bus routes operating outside of the City of Toronto, such as those in York Region (north of Steeles Avenue) and Mississauga (west of Pearson Airport). The Presto ticket is intended for infrequent TTC customers.<ref name="TTC-Presto-FAQ">{{cite web |url=http://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/PRESTO/FAQ.jsp |title=Presto Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=[[Toronto Transit Commission]] |access-date=4 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716232556/https://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/PRESTO/FAQ.jsp |archive-date=16 July 2019}}</ref>

There are 3 types of Presto ticket: 1-ride, 2-ride and day pass. Customers can purchase up to 10 Presto tickets at a time from Presto fare vending machines at all TTC subway stations. Unlike Presto cards, Presto tickets do not support concession fares for seniors, students, youth or children. As with Presto cards, there is a 2-hour transfer period for 1- and 2-ride Presto tickets for TTC services. The Presto day pass expires at 2:59{{nbsp}}a.m. on the day following the ticket's first use.<ref name="TTC-Presto-FAQ" />

A Presto ticket is not reloadable and is meant to be discarded once the travel period has ended. Because of the embedded chip, the ticket is not recyclable. Presto tickets bought by individuals must be used within 90 days of purchase, although service agencies may purchase Presto tickets that can be used up to one year from purchase. All Presto tickets have an expiry date so as not to overload the central computer system that tracks all unexpired Presto tickets. Presto fare vending machines at subway stations have an inquiry feature to check whether a purchased Presto ticket is still valid.<ref name="TTC-Presto-FAQ" />

{{As of|2019|07|08|post=,}} Presto tickets are available for purchase at all TTC subway stations.<ref name="TTC-2019-07-08">{{cite web |url=http://www.ttc.ca/News/2019/July/08_07_19NR_presto_tickets.jsp |title=PRESTO Tickets available at all TTC subway stations |publisher=[[Toronto Transit Commission]] |date=8 July 2019 |access-date=7 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708164721/https://www.ttc.ca/News/2019/July/08_07_19NR_presto_tickets.jsp |archive-date=8 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Contactless payment by credit or debit card==
On most GTHA transit systems, customers also have the option to pay their adult single-ride fares by tapping a contactless credit card, debit card (such as [[Visa card|Visa]], [[Mastercard]], [[American Express]], or [[Interac]]) or a [[Mobile payment|mobile device]] (mobile phone or watch) on a Presto fare reader when or prior to boarding a transit vehicle (and alighting for GO Transit or UP Express) in addition to being able to use the Presto card. UP Express was the first transit service provider with this system on board when it first launched on 11 March 2021. 

{{As of|2024|09|08|post=,}} open contactless credit and debit card payment options can be used on the following transit service providers:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/08/11/new-fare-options-for-go-brampton-miway-oakville-transit/ | title=New fare options for GO, Brampton, MiWay & Oakville Transit | date=11 August 2022 }}</ref><ref name="Metrolinx-contactless">{{cite web |url=https://www.contactless.prestocard.ca/en |title=Testing new ways to pay with PRESTO |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |access-date=11 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312004649/https://www.contactless.prestocard.ca/en | archive-date=12 March 2021 }}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |title=Ontario Newsroom |url=https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002656/ontario-expands-presto-credit-payment-to-more-local-transit-agencies |access-date=24 January 2023 |website=news.ontario.ca}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |date=2 May 2023 |title=Ontario Launching Debit Payment on Presto Devices |url=https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1003001/ontario-launching-debit-payment-on-presto-devices |access-date=2 May 2023 |website=news.ontario.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ttc.ca/riding-the-ttc/Updates/Pay-your-fare-with-your-debit-or-credit-card | title=Pay your fare with your debit or credit card }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=O-Payment |work=OC Transpo |url=https://www.octranspo.com/en/fares/payment/o-payment/ |access-date=9 September 2024}}</ref>
* [[Brampton Transit]]
* [[Burlington Transit]]
* [[Durham Regional Transit]]
* [[GO Transit]]
* [[Hamilton Street Railway]]
* [[MiWay]] (Mississauga)
* [[Oakville Transit]]
* [[OC Transpo]]
* [[Toronto Transit Commission]] (TTC)
* [[UP Express]]
* [[York Regional Transit]]

==See also==
* [[List of smart cards]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{official website}}

{{Metrolinx}}
{{Canadian smartcards}}
{{portal bar|Ontario|Transportation}}

[[Category:Contactless smart cards]]
[[Category:Fare collection systems in Canada]]
[[Category:Metrolinx]]
[[Category:2007 establishments in Ontario]]