Metrolinx Piloting Apple Pay on Toronto's UP Express, Working to Expand to TTC

[MacRumors]

Metrolinx this week announced that commuters can now use contactless payment options like Apple Pay to pay for their fare on UP Express, a train that connects Downtown Toronto with Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Prior to boarding the train, commuters simply need to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the PRESTO payment terminal to pay for their fare with a credit card loaded in the Wallet app — or tap a physical credit card. At the end of the trip, riders must "tap off" with the same credit card or mobile payment device they used to "tap on" with to ensure that they pay the correct fare for their trip on UP Express, as usual.

If a rider is approached by a fare inspector, they can present the same credit card or mobile wallet used to pay the fare as proof of payment.

The contactless payment option has been available for UP Express adult fare since March 11, as part of a pilot program. Student or other discounted fares still require using a PRESTO card for now. Metrolinx plans to expand contactless payments to more transit agencies "soon" across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including the TTC.

It's worth noting that it is still not possible to add the PRESTO card to the Wallet app, and this does not appear to be part of the current plans.

"We're currently working with the TTC to determine the potential timelines for this work," a Metrolinx spokesperson told Global News.

Later this year, Metrolinx also plans to add Interac Debit as a payment option for UP Express.

Article Link: Metrolinx Piloting Apple Pay on Toronto's UP Express, Working to Expand to TTC

 

[jicon]

I’d prefer Presto card Wallet integration, but this is a good step forward

 

[Hyperchaotic]

I send a message to Translink in Vancouver every year asking for express transit. They're used to me now, they have started responding with "oh hi, no we still haven't.... but will forward your mail again...".

 

[brijazz]

Good lord, Metrolinx continues to be useless. "Hey guys, let's launch this on a train that connects ONLY to the airport at a time when virtually no one is flying".

And not integrating with the PRESTO card? They've been pushing PRESTO as the best way of payment for years... they were even talking about getting rid of cash payments in favour of PRESTO (maybe that's happened already, I'm not sure).

 

[murdoc2k]

This is wonderful news. Toronto has now reached the 2010 milestone in tech. Only 11 more years to go.

 

[zachz]

I send a message to Translink in Vancouver every year asking for express transit. They're used to me now, they have started responding with "oh hi, no we still haven't.... but will forward your mail again...".

Haha that’s great, I’ll have to start doing that too. I’ve been waiting too long to be able to add my Compass card to my Apple Wallet. I hate having to carry the extra card around

 

[Stella]

Great, soon be able to ditch the Presto card, in favour of just tapping Phone.

 

[philosopherdog]

Awesome. Apple Pay is revolutionary and any transit integration esp in my city is welcome.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Wonderful news. One step closer.

 

[HiVolt]

It's gonna be a problem on the TTC, because the readers in vehicles are mounted very low (For accessibility) so if you lean against the reader with your wallet in your pocket, BAM, you're gonna get charged.

I've had just my phone in my pocket and when close to a reader, the phone dings and activates the Wallet because it sensed a reader nearby (even though it can't be used).

Gonna need RFID wallets more than ever, for those who ride regularly.

 

[V.K.]

I can't understand why they are not even planning integration of Presto cards with the Wallet. What could be the reason? Are there technical limitations? If not, what is the problem?

 

[ipedro]

I can't understand why they are not even planning integration of Presto cards with the Wallet. What could be the reason? Are there technical limitations? If not, what is the problem?

I’d prefer Presto card Wallet integration, but this is a good step forward

I actually prefer this implementation. It sets the stage for eliminating the need for a PRESTO card at all. Using a credit card charges you the PRESTO price rather than the cash fare. That’s a pleasant surprise.

Once you’ve tapped a credit card at least once, you can then add it into your PRESTO account in the app so it’ll work exactly like a PRESTO card:



Once your card is added to the app, you can track your trips like any other PRESTO card with the added benefit that you don’t have to load it before use. It’ll charge as you go.

Not everyone has a credit card but once debit cards are added, it’ll cover the vast majority of people. There’ll still be one time use PRESTO tickets which can be purchased with cash and are given out in community centres and shelters for the less fortunate. Ultimately, we won’t need a transit card at all, removing much of the complexity that exists today.

 

[Hyperchaotic]

I actually prefer this implementation. It sets the stage for eliminating the need for a PRESTO card at all. Using a credit card charges you the PRESTO price rather than the cash fare. That’s a pleasant surprise.

Once you’ve tapped a credit card at least once, you can then add it into your PRESTO account in the app so it’ll work exactly like a PRESTO card:



Once your card is added to the app, you can track your trips like any other PRESTO card with the added benefit that you don’t have to load it before use. It’ll charge as you go.

Seems like a quite nice implementation.

I suppose it still needs authentication though? Express Transit doesn't need auth, it has Power Reserve for when the phone is dead and it works with concession cards (I don't know if Presto have those)- so in several ways is very useful.

 

[AppleTO]

Now, would every trip be a separate charge? Or would they charge at the end of a week, for example? This could get really messy logistically.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I’d prefer Presto card Wallet integration, but this is a good step forward

Agreed. It’s a start and over a year long awaited - but currently how many people are going to Pearson Airport right now - we’re still in Grey area just from last week lol.

no if ONLY MetroLynx can complete the damn Eglinton LRT!! The traffic congestion is brutal and I’m just beside it! Been like 4yrs already: no crews work on weekends nor at nights when (in the east) it’s not busy at all but crews park in 1 lane where the construction is - so 1 lane in the worst spots! Add condos being built at Yonge as well Grrrr! At least the condos are finished.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I actually prefer this implementation. It sets the stage for eliminating the need for a PRESTO card at all. Using a credit card charges you the PRESTO price rather than the cash fare. That’s a pleasant surprise.

Once you’ve tapped a credit card at least once, you can then add it into your PRESTO account in the app so it’ll work exactly like a PRESTO card:

View attachment 1743406

Once your card is added to the app, you can track your trips like any other PRESTO card with the added benefit that you don’t have to load it before use. It’ll charge as you go.

Not everyone has a credit card but once debit cards are added, it’ll cover the vast majority of people. There’ll still be one time use PRESTO tickets which can be purchased with cash and are given out in community centres and shelters for the less fortunate. Ultimately, we won’t need a transit card at all, removing much of the complexity that exists today.

So you’re part of the trial cause on normal Go or TTC transit routes I don’t see What you’re seeing (why hide the presto card in screens?)

How will it manage the 2hr window for across GTA transit?! Therein lies the issue - nobody is going back to 1 transfer 1 way far that cost more that TTC still has on their own.

 

[V.K.]

I actually prefer this implementation. It sets the stage for eliminating the need for a PRESTO card at all. Using a credit card charges you the PRESTO price rather than the cash fare. That’s a pleasant surprise.

Once you’ve tapped a credit card at least once, you can then add it into your PRESTO account in the app so it’ll work exactly like a PRESTO card:

View attachment 1743406

Once your card is added to the app, you can track your trips like any other PRESTO card with the added benefit that you don’t have to load it before use. It’ll charge as you go.

Not everyone has a credit card but once debit cards are added, it’ll cover the vast majority of people. There’ll still be one time use PRESTO tickets which can be purchased with cash and are given out in community centres and shelters for the less fortunate. Ultimately, we won’t need a transit card at all, removing much of the complexity that exists today.

what about transfers? does it track them as a Presto card does?

 

[eMacKilla]

I was rather have integrated presto in Apple wallet. Do you honestly trust metrolinx with 4 credit card processes each work day? I wouldn’t.

 

[DeanL]

"Metrolinx Piloting Apple Pay"
No, they're piloting contactless payments 🙄

 

[ipedro]

what about transfers? does it track them as a Presto card does?

Yes, it tracks transfers. That’s done at the system level not at the terminal. If you tap the same card within 2 hours, it’s a $0.00 charge, no different than how a PRESTO card does it.

"Metrolinx Piloting Apple Pay"
No, they're piloting contactless payments 🙄

They’re also piloting Apple Pay. It’s not just a straightforward contactless payment. Apple Pay serves up a token, not a credit card number. It requires its own implementation, otherwise it would look like a different credit card each time it’s tapped, making it impossible to track transfers, fare verification and ride history. The article title is correct: Metrolinx is piloting Apple Pay.

Seems like a quite nice implementation.

I suppose it still needs authentication though? Express Transit doesn't need auth, it has Power Reserve for when the phone is dead and it works with concession cards (I don't know if Presto have those)- so in several ways is very useful.

Express Transit works with credit/debit cards.

 

[V.K.]

Yes, it tracks transfers. That’s done at the system level not at the terminal. If you tap the same card within 2 hours, it’s a $0.00 charge, no different than how a PRESTO card does it.

oh, that’s nice! then I agree, there is no downside to using this except for people who get discount fares. Or can it even handle that?

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Blimey and this is news? The news element should be why it has taken so long. Other countries have been doing that for years. I think it is three years ago now that I went to Moscow in Russia and you just use the Apple Watch/iPhone on public transport despite many banks not supporting it at the time.

Welcome to the 21st century Toronto

 

[Reason077]

I’d prefer Presto card Wallet integration, but this is a good step forward

Is there any particular reason to prefer Presto integration? From a London perspective, the Oyster fare card has largely been rendered redundant by contactless credit/debit cards and Apple Pay. (The only exceptions are certain people, such as kids and retirees, who get discounted fares, as well as certain types of season passes - but I'm sure they'll eventually integrate these one way or another).

From what I've heard, Transport for London prefers to cut down on Oyster card usage because the costs[*] of operating their own fare card system exceeds whatever fees are paid to banks to process contactless card/device transactions.

[*] producing physical cards, maintaining machines and staff to process "top-ups", paying commission to retailers who sell top-ups, increased crowding at stations while people stand in lines to top up, etc

 

[Reason077]

Welcome to the 21st century Toronto

To be fair, when I lived in Toronto, which wasn't all that long ago, subway fares were still paid by physical metal "tokens". They've come a long way!

 

[AppleTO]

I’d be curious to know how long it would take to implement this on all the presto terminals that aren’t ‘ground network’ connected (like busses). Traditionally, these are the annoying terminals that require 24 hrs to know to reload money on a presto card (because the bus needs to re-sync its internal presto system with network first). So this change would require a low latency (LTE) network connection 100% of the time on every bus. Sounds reasonable given all the mobile POS terminals out there, but also a very expensive upgrade.