Jeremy Kemeny – The Hamilton Spectator
Taking local transit is a little easier now as Presto technology in Hamilton and Burlington expands to accept credit cards.
In a statement released Monday, the province announced that LGV and Burlington Transit buses will accept credit cards, including on cellphones and smartwatches, starting today.
The initiative, the province said in a news release, aims to make public transit easier by giving riders in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area more ways to pay.
According to Presto, or $3.25 each way. Using a Presto card is $2.60 for an adult rider.
Similarly, Burlington Transit riders will pay the cash fare of $3.50. The adult Presto card fare is $2.75.
Presto’s tech expansion on January 23 included regional transit agencies in Durham and York. Previously, riders could access UP Express with credit cards starting in 2021 and GO Transit and some other municipal transit systems in 2022.
Next, Ontario is working to expand Presto credit card payments to the TTC and introduce debit tapping payment capabilities into the technology.