PRESTO in York Region
Tap onto YRT/Viva with PRESTO
PRESTO is the new fare option for York Region Transit (YRT/Viva).
With a PRESTO card, you won't have to worry about buying bus tickets or having correct change to ride YRT/Viva.
In York Region, with a tap of your PRESTO card, your fare is deducted from your account. Just purchase, activate and register your card (optional), add money to your balance using one of several convenient options and you're on your way!
Click here for detailed information on how to obtain and use your PRESTO smart card.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is PRESTO right for me?
- Should I register my PRESTO card?
- What are the benefits of registering my card?
- How much will it cost to use an Express service?
- How do I make a transfer with PRESTO?
- How does the GO co-fare payment work with PRESTO?
- Can I use my PRESTO card to transfer to a TTC bus operating in York Region (north of Steeles Avenue)?
- Can I use my PRESTO card to transfer from Brampton Transit?
- Can I still apply for the federal transit tax credit?
- Can I put a student concession on my PRESTO card?
- Does my PRESTO card come activated if I buy it online?
- Can I clear a negative balance on my card by loading money online?
- Can I tap my PRESTO card if it's in my wallet or purse?
- Where can I learn more about PRESTO?
1. Is PRESTO right for me?
PRESTO makes it convenient to transfer between participating transit systems without having to calculate the correct fare - just tap on every time you board a bus. You can use your PRESTO card on the following participating transit systems:
|
|
Notes:
-
You cannot use PRESTO on TTC buses operating in York Region, Mobility Plus services, Dial-a-Ride services or on GO Route 69.
-
PRESTO cards are to be used in York Region by a single customer only.
-
No additional taps are allowed within 5 minutes of the original tap on the same bus or device located within the same zone of vivastations.
2. Should I register my PRESTO card?
We recommend that you register your PRESTO card. Registered cards that are lost or stolen can be reported to have future transactions blocked. You will be responsible for the value spent within 24 hours of reporting the loss. The remaining value can be transferred to a new card.
3. What are the benefits of registering my card?
-
Track your federal transit tax credit eligibility online
Log into your PRESTO account at prestocard.ca to access your transit usage report. See FAQ #9 for more info - Security for lost or stolen cards
Report a missing card to PRESTO and have it blocked from use. You will be responsible for the value spent within 24 hours of reporting the loss. You must purchase a replacement card and load a minimum of $10 on the card. Before you register your new card, call PRESTO and ask that the funds be transferred from your old card. - Automatic reloads
Choose to automatically reload your card through your bank account or credit card when the card value reaches a pre-determined level. For more information, visit prestocard.ca.
4. How much will it cost to use an Express service?
If you are using an Express service (300-series routes) using your PRESTO card, the base fare plus an Express upgrade will be charged to your PRESTO card.
If you are transferring from a YRT/Viva bus to an Express bus, the PRESTO device on the Express bus will recognize the transfer and charge your PRESTO card the Express fare upgrade.
Please note that if you pay your fare using a PRESTO card, you must also pay the fare upgrade using your PRESTO card.
5. How do I make a transfer with PRESTO?
PRESTO's smart card technology recognizes your continuous travel each time you tap your card and allows you a two-hour transfer period from the time of issue.
Similar to a paper transfer, the transfer on your PRESTO card has an expiry time. When your transfer expires, you will need to tap your card as necessary.
If you are connecting to or from a GO Train, the GO co-fare is automatically calculated on the card.
6. How does the GO Transit co-fare payment work with PRESTO?
PRESTO will automatically calculate and deduct the co-fare discount for your YRT/Viva trip to and from any PRESTO-activated GO Transit service. Learn more about GO transit co-fares.
7. Can I use my PRESTO card to transfer to a TTC bus operating in York Region (north of Steeles Avenue)?
No. Until TTC implements PRESTO on their buses, we recommend using a monthly pass, tickets, cash or GTA Weekly Pass. Paper transfers cannot be issued to PRESTO card holders.
8. Can I use my PRESTO card to transfer from Brampton Transit?
Brampton Transit fare paid with your PRESTO card e-purse will allow a free transfer to YRT/Viva (within the two-hour transfer window). PRESTO cards loaded with Brampton Transit period passes can only be used on Brampton Transit and are not accepted on YRT/Viva.
9. Can I still apply for the federal transit tax credit?
Yes, provided that:
- Your PRESTO card is registered
- After you have registered your card, you have taken at least 32 one-way trips on a single transit system within any four week period
At tax time, log into your online PRESTO account to access and print your transit usage report. Your transit usage is reported weekly by transit agencies. Learn more about the federal transit tax credit.
10. Can I put a student concession on my PRESTO card?
Yes, once your card has been activated, a child, student or senior concession can be set at YRT/Viva's head office or at a GO Train Customer Service Outlet. You will need to bring valid identification showing your date of birth. You will also need to bring your high school student card if setting a student concessions.
Students must travel with a valid student ID card. Seniors and children must travel with proof of age.
11. Does my PRESTO card come activated if I buy it online?
No. Cards purchased online are mailed to you and you must call PRESTO to activate it. Cards activated by phone require 24 hours to process before you will be able to load money or set a concession.
12. Can I clear a negative balance on my card by loading money online?
No. A negative balance may currently only be cleared in person at YRT/Viva's head office, GO Train Customer Service Outlet, Churchill Cigar Store (Markville Mall) or Petro Canada (Bathurst and Clark) A nominal fee will apply.
13. When I load money online, why is there a delay in updating the balance on my card?
Your balance is stored on the card itself. Once you complete a purchase online, the details are sent to each card reader in the PRESTO network, which can take up to 24 hours. When you tap your card as part of a regular trip, the purchase will be activated and your balance updated.
Please note, if your card has gone into a negative balance, you must clear the negative balance (see FAQ #12) before you tap your card.
14. Can I tap my PRESTO card if it's in my wallet or purse?
Yes; however, other cards in your wallet or purse may interfere with your PRESTO card. If you tap with your wallet
or purse when boarding a YRT bus and the bus operator receives an error message, you will be asked to take your
card out and tap again. Once the card is tapped, your fare will be deducted or you will see the message "already
tapped", indicating you are travelling on a transfer.
15. Where can I learn more about PRESTO?
For further information please visit prestocard.ca