TORONTO – Commuters in the Greater Toronto Area will soon be able to navigate eight separate municipal transit systems as well as the regional GO Transit system using a single fare card.
Transit officials said Wednesday the regional Presto card will cover the Toronto Transit Commission by 2016, adding to a network that already includes transit systems from Hamilton to Durham Region and beyond.
Ontario Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli called the move “a tremendous technological step forward” for Canada’s busiest transit hub.
He joined TTC brass at a news conference where they also announced the signing of a light rail transit deal between the commission and Metrolinx, the province’s transit agency.
The plan to build four new LRT lines has polarized the city and previously caused friction within city council as well as with the province.
“Our signatures today bring to an end four years of debate and delay and signal to Toronto commuters that we are finally getting on with the task they have long demanded – the expansion of Toronto’s rapid transit network,” the minister said.
The master agreement will be in effect for the next 10 years regardless of who leads the provincial or municipal governments.
“I think it’s fair to say that there might be some changes coming up in 2013, both at the provincial level and quite possibly at the municipal level,” said TTC chair Karen Stintz, alluding to the uncertainty surrounding the minority Liberal government as well as Toronto’s embattled mayor, Rob Ford, who is appealing a court ruling ordering him out of office for a conflict of interest violation.
“But I do want to say that in spite of all that, this investment will remain solid and with the signing of these agreements, these communities can rest assured and (be) confident that these investments will be made,” she said.
The 24 kilometres of LRT will roll out in 2020 on Sheppard East, Eglinton, and Finch West, while the Scarborough rapid transit line is replaced.
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