Guelph MPP Liz Sandals re-iterated an earlier announcement from the province that those who use transit systems in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and in nine other transit systems across the province will see a significant discount come the new year. She wanted to let Guelph residents know that this also applies to them.
Guelph MPP Liz Sandals was on hand at Guelph Central Station this morning, announcing the province’s deal to give PRESTO card users with GO Transit a 50 per cent discount on TTC fares and other transit systems in the GTA, including two-way connections.
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For example, if a commuter takes a Guelph Transit bus to Guelph Central Station early in the morning and scans their PRESTO card, they receive a discount (a deal already in place between Guelph Transit and Presto).
Once they hop onto either a GO Transit bus or train they scan their card again and receive the regular PRESTO price. In addition, if they connect to either a TTC subway, street car, or bus the fare is reduced by 50 per cent.
Sandals says this new plan will also include the transfers to the Union-Pearson Express and is applicable to adults, seniors, youth and students.
The biggest savings can be found for those heading into Toronto for work, reducing their $3 TTC fare to $1.50 with the new plan, an average yearly savings of about $720 per rider.
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“We are making fares more affordable for the many commuters who already use a PRESTO card to connect between GO Transit, UP Express, and the TTC,” said Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca in a press release. “We also hope that this will persuade more commuters to take transit all the way to their destination. Working with municipal partners, we are committed to creating a seamless and cost-effective travel experience for transit riders.”
The release also says that more that 50,000 ( a number that the province anticipates will grow to 750,000) daily trips include transfers between the TTC, GO Transit or UP Express.
More than three million people have activated PRESTO cards which can be used on 10 transit systems in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas (GTHA) along with OC Transpo in Ottawa, and transit systems in Mississauga, Brampton, York, and Durham.
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The City of Guelph already has a deal with PRESTO users, giving them a discounted price if they use PRESTO during a Guelph Transit trip at 60 cents a ride.
Sandals say one of the biggest omissions is involvement with Grand River Transit and the LRT coming to Kitchener/Waterloo.
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Sandals says the new prices on fares are expected to be implemented in early January 2018 and the province will pay nearly $18 million back to the TCC for the additional discount throughout the entire year with the new plan.
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