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

[ipedro]

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.

The new readers require that you take the card out of your wallet because people generally carry multiple RFID enabled cards these days. It won’t read it if it receives multiple signals.

But really, out of courtesy for others, you should not be leaning on the readers or even standing in the doorway.

 

[avonord]

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.

I like that. So, you are essentially saying that my credit card becomes my presto card after the first use. This is a good design, as much as I like to bash TTC. (I live on Eglinton)

 

[Polyphonie]

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.

The reader/machine also makes a loud noise/signal to indicate payment (or refusal of payment) that can be heard throughout the entire vehicle/subway car. Even if you had headphones on, I’m pretty sure someone will let you know.

 

[ipedro]

I like that. So, you are essentially saying that my credit card becomes my presto card after the first use. This is a good design, as much as I like to bash TTC. (I live on Eglinton)

Exactly. Most people these days have debit cards (which will be supported in the Spring). This will leap frog over the need for any transit cards and having to load and manage them.

PRESTO's new log in screen shows that credit cards are considered on equal footing with a PRESTO card. Any of them can be used to hold an account and log in. You can also sign in without an account, using the credit/debit card you used to tap onto transit.

This is what it looks like to add a credit card in the PRESTO app:

 

[avonord]

Exactly. Most people these days have debit cards (which will be supported in the Spring). This will leap frog over the need for any transit cards and having to load and manage them.

@ipedro Resurrecting this old thread. Any insider news on when this will be deployed to TTC?

 

[ipedro]

@ipedro Resurrecting this old thread. Any insider news on when this will be deployed to TTC?

No insider news but the direct payment trial period on UPX has lapsed and they've kept it so that's good news and an indication that it'll roll out system wide. You might have seen new software on TTC vehicles. That was a necessary step to start accepting direct payments with debit and credit cards. My educated guess is that they'll do it during a low peak transit use month, typically in the Summer when kids are off school and a segment of work commuters are on vacation.

 

[avonord]

No insider news but the direct payment trial period on UPX has lapsed and they've kept it so that's good news and an indication that it'll roll out system wide. You might have seen new software on TTC vehicles. That was a necessary step to start accepting direct payments with debit and credit cards. My educated guess is that they'll do it during a low peak transit use month, typically in the Summer when kids are off school and a segment of work commuters are on vacation.

Thanks. That’s great news!

 

[ipedro]

Update: Open Payment is currently “targeted” for rollout by the end of this year. I’m not super confident in the TTC and Metrolinx’ ability to meet deadlines but at least we know it’s coming, sooner or later.

A nice surprise is that a virtual Presto card is also coming, likely via Apple's Transit Card on iOS and watchOS.

cc: @avonord

 

[RoboCop001]

Update: Open Payment is currently “targeted” for rollout by the end of this year. I’m not super confident in the TTC and Metrolinx’ ability to meet deadlines but at least we know it’s coming, sooner or later. View attachment 2037638View attachment 2037637

A nice surprise is that a virtual Presto card is also coming, likely via Apple's Transit Card on iOS and watchOS.

cc: @avonord

Nice! Where did you get the info? I’d like to stay up to date!