TTC to Accept Debit/Credit for Fare Purchases at All Subway Stations

Toronto Mayor John Tory, Toronto Transit Commission Chair Josh Colle and TTC CEO Andy Byford, Dec. 16 announced that starting Jan. 1, TTC customers will be able to purchase fares at all collector booths, at all subway stations, using their debit or credit cards. The TTC is also exploring a wave-and-pay option for a single cash fare at all collector booths for later in 2015.

Customers will now be able to purchase 10 or more tokens or tickets, as well as any Metropass or Day Pass, at the TTC's 69 subway and Scarborough RT stations using their debit or credit card. A new point-of-sale system was added and tested this year to ensure inventory control and reconciliation, and is in operation at the majority of stations today. The remainder will come online in the next two weeks. In late 2012, the TTC added debit and credit capabilities for Metropass purchases only at all of its stations.

"I am committed to cutting transit congestion and a big part of that is modernizing the way our system operates," said Toronto Mayor John Tory. "I am thrilled to announce riders will be able to use their debit and credit cards at subway stations in the new year. It's a long-awaited step that I have personally advocated for, and will make commuting more convenient for all TTC riders."

"I am very pleased that TTC passengers will finally be able to purchase fares using debit and credit cards," said TTC Chair Josh Colle. "The TTC will continue to enhance service and look for more ways of improving the customer experience for riders."

With the Presto farecard implementation underway, tokens, tickets and Metropasses will eventually be phased out. Until then, customers have told the TTC they want more convenient and modern payment options for all fare purchases. In addition to customer convenience, this change also reduces the amount of cash in the system and helps create greater efficiencies for the TTC.