Ontario Launching “One Fare” to Save Transit Riders $1,600

Transit riders using multiple transit agencies will transfer at no extra charge

The Voice of Canada :

The Ontario government is keeping costs down for public transit riders with the launch of “One Fare,” which will save riders an average of $1,600 each year. Beginning February 26, 2024, riders will pay only once as they transfer for free between the TTC and participating transit agencies in the Greater Toronto Area, including GO Transit.

“Our government is on a mission to keep costs down for the hardworking people of Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “One Fare will eliminate double fares and put $1,600 back into the pockets of transit riders. Alongside the hundreds of dollars we’re saving for drivers by cutting the gas tax, scrapping road tolls and eliminating the licence plate sticker fee, we’re providing commuters with real, tangible relief.”

Fully funded by the Ontario government, One Fare will lead to over eight million new rides every year and will make cross-boundary travel more affordable and convenient for students, seniors and other commuters transferring between GO Transit, TTC, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay and York Region Transit.

“At a time when many families feel like they’re struggling to get ahead, our government is making public transit simpler, more convenient and more affordable,” said Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Transportation. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we will continue to make historic investments in public transit and put money back in commuters’ pockets, where it belongs.”

One Fare builds on improvements the government made in 2022 to eliminate fares between GO Transit and several transit agencies in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The government will continue to work with municipal partners to identify opportunities to make transit more seamless for riders by harmonizing discounted fares and other measures.

“Public transit should be a convenient and affordable option for getting to work, school or running errands,” said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. “Ontario’s One Fare will make it easier and cheaper to transfer between the TTC, GO Transit and other transit agencies. When governments continue to work together, we can make life more affordable and invest in services families rely on, like high quality public transit that costs you less.”

Over the next decade, Ontario is investing $70.5 billion to transform public transit in the province, including the largest subway expansion in Canadian history with the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Yonge North Subway Extension. By 2031, the province will introduce two-way, all-day GO train service, every 15 minutes in key corridors in the Greater Golden Horseshoe to connect more people to transit, jobs and housing for generations to come.

Quick Facts

• Since 2023, transit users have been able to tap debit or credit cards on PRESTO devices to travel on all PRESTO participating transit agencies throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, and there have been more than 29 million PRESTO contactless boardings to date.
• The province continues to expedite the planning, design and construction of its five priority transit projects under the Building Transit Faster Act, 2020, which includes the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, the Yonge North Subway Extension and Hamilton Light Rail Transit project.
• Ontario’s One Fare Program is part of over 100 actions outlined in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Plan, including fare and service integration.

Quotes

“Ontario’s One Fare Program is another example of how we’re saving commuters time and money. Whether it’s to work, school or social events, our government’s historic investments in Ontario’s public transportation system is making it easier, faster and cheaper for people to get where they need to go.”– Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation

“Ontario’s One Fare Program is a major milestone for fare integration that helps connect more communities across the Greater Toronto Area. Programs like this will reduce barriers to cross-boundary travel and will bring more people to transit, estimating more than 20,000 new riders per day. Metrolinx will continue working with the Ontario government to make taking transit from Brampton, Oshawa, or anywhere in between simpler, more convenient, and more affordable than ever before.”-Phil Verster, Metrolinx, CEO

“I’m pleased to welcome the Ontario government’s One Fare Program. This innovative initiative, allowing seamless fare integration between Brampton Transit, GO Transit and other GTA transit agencies, is a significant boost for our community. With Brampton Transit leading the country in ridership growth – a 160 per cent increase in the decade before the pandemic and a remarkable 30 per cent rise over pre-pandemic levels – this program will further enhance public transit’s accessibility and affordability in Brampton – while providing substantial savings for commuters.”- Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton

“Transportation remains a top priority for York Regional Council, our more than 1.2 million residents and 66,500 businesses. Simplifying fare payments with the new One Fare Program puts travellers’ experience first and makes our collective transit systems even more convenient, reliable and affordable. One Fare removes boundaries and barriers to travelling across different municipalities, allows for more convenient access and supports our growing communities.”- Wayne Emmerson, York Region Chairman and CEO

“Through a seamless and affordable experience, Ontario’s One Fare Program will provide an attractive travel option for Durham Region and Toronto residents as they travel between our communities on public transit. The Region of Durham and Durham Region Transit are thrilled to participate in this program which will save transit customers money and increase transit ridership across the GTA.”-John Henry, Durham Regional Chair and CEO

“CUTA welcomes the Ontario government’s introduction of the One Fare Program for riders in Toronto and the GTA. This fare integration initiative will help create a more seamless and cost-effective experience for commuters across various transit networks. By reducing the financial burden of multiple transit fares and encouraging a shift towards more sustainable modes of travel, this program will help make public transit more affordable across these fast-growing communities.”- Marco D’Angelo, Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) President and CEO

“The Ontario Chamber has been a strong advocate of fare integration, and we applaud the government for taking this step in partnership with municipalities. This announcement will help Ontarians and visitors connect more affordably to their places of work and leisure, alleviating traffic congestion while strengthening our economy.”– Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

“York University commends the Ontario government for eliminating the need for double fares by creating a more integrated fare system. The new One Fare Program will have a significant impact on our community as over 74 per cent of our students, and most of our faculty and staff, commute to campus via GO Transit as well as the two subway stations on our Keele Campus. An integrated fare system will not only create a more affordable, accessible, and efficient transportation network but also continue to provide a sustainable transportation option that will help to reduce our community’s carbon footprint.”-Rhonda Lenton, President & Vice-Chancellor, York University

“Many members of the University of Toronto community depend on public transit for their travel to and from our campuses in Mississauga, Scarborough and downtown Toronto. That’s why we welcome the One Fare program, which will help make sustainable transit a more affordable option for our students, faculty, librarians, and staff.”-– Professor Meric Gertler, President of the University of Toronto

“This is good news for Scarborough transit users. The One Fare Program will make it more affordable for Scarborough commuters who need to take the TTC and the GO train to work each day (or the TTC and a GO bus, York bus or Durham bus).”,- Larry Whatmore, President, Scarborough Community Renewal Organization