May/June 2024 - 28

One Fare Program
many different jurisdictions around the world where programs
like this already exist and transit customers don't see
boundaries. They want to get from place to place no matter
where and what jurisdiction they're going to. "
A PRESTO card.
Photo: Metrolinx
to the government [of Ontario] that
they want to have a one fare program
to make sure they eliminate the double
fare, sometimes even triple fare, when
they go from one transit jurisdiction to
another municipal transit jurisdiction, "
Thanigasalam said.
According to Tamas Hertel, YRT's
manager of service planning, the implementation
of the One Fare program
modernizes the region's transportation
systems.
" This is something York Region Transit
staff and council have been advocating
for years, " Hertel said. " There are
PRESTO payment system
As part of the One Fare program, many of the transit agencies
involved started using the PRESTO payment system, which
is a universal payment system across the region that provides
the foundation upon which the One Fare program can be
built by automatically calculating the discount applying it
to the riders payment method. Riders can pay using a physical
PRESTO card, a virtual PRESTO card through Google
Wallet or their personal credit card. PRESTO is expected to
be implemented on Apple Wallet later in 2024.
YRT started using the PRESTO system in 2011. According
to Hertel, being able to tap various cards on a PRESTO reader
makes riders comfortable paying for their fare, no matter
which system they ride.
" When we first started using PRESTO on our transit system,
it made management of fares easier for York Region Transit with
data and digitization and for customers, " Tamas said. " It allowed
them to track their travel patterns and have more options for
fare media. Since then, we have worked with the province to
improve the system, including with open and contactless payments.
PRESTO has also allowed us to switch to fare capping. "
Metrolinx says the One Fare program has made paying
for fares throughout its different transit systems seamless
for customers and operators.
" We have more than 20 different transit operators, including
GO Transit as a transit operator, and so when customers are
moving from one area to the other, these cross- boundary
changes requires a transfer and in that transfer is an extra
payment, " explained Karla Avis-Birch, Metrolinx's chief
planning officer. " We want to move these kinds of barriers. "
Ridership
Avis-Birch notes feedback on the program from customers
has been positive, with riders giving pros and cons of the
program. Metrolinx is using the program to attract riders
back to public transit post-COVID-19 pandemic.
" Post-pandemic, it's very different right now the way people
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are moving, " Avis-Birch said. " People are not just moving
from the outer regions into the downtown of the Toronto
core, they're wanting to move around the region. They're
wanting to move between regions and that kind of idea of
trip planning and removing those barriers really makes for
a more seamless and integrated transit network. "
According to Avis-Birch, the pandemic changed the patterns
of ridership for Metrolinx. Pre-pandemic, transit use on
Metrolinx systems would only mostly be used in the morning
and evening commutes. Post-pandemic, midday rides
on Metrolinx systems have increased and more people are
crossing between regions, making the need for the One Fare
program more warranted.
For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10065706
28 Mass Transit | MAY/JUNE 2024
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May/June 2024

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