Metrolinx announces PRESTO’s new fare payment solution for specialized transit, on-demand microtransit coming to Hamilton Street Railway system

Metrolinx is rolling out a new fare payment system on several transit agencies in the 905-area, giving customers the option to pay for services with their PRESTO card.

PRESTO is rolling out the payment solution at several agencies designed for their local specialized transit and other on-demand microtransit services.

The payment option successfully launched in Hamilton on March 15 with the help of the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) and their contracted service provider, DARTS.

Durham and Oakville are set to introduce it later this year.

With this change, HSR customers using specialized transit services now have the option to pay for their ride with their PRESTO card instead of using cash. This provides a more seamless experience and means customers now pay the lowest fare available.

Customers can now simply tap on with their PRESTO card when they enter the vehicle, much like the experience of boarding a bus. There is also an audio mode feature, using the tablet’s speaker, that enables customers with visual disabilities to listen to their PRESTO transaction out loud.

This summer, the feature will also be introduced on Durham Region Transit’s On Demand service, meaning customers will soon be able to tap on with their PRESTO card when boarding the service instead of having their card visually validated.

Oakville Transit specialized transit vehicles will also be implementing the payment solution in the summer, upgrading the existing PRESTO payment devices already in use.

The new solution was first deployed on Toronto Transit Commission's Wheel-Trans contracted sedan taxis last year.