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http://www.cfra.com/News/Ottawa-Regional-News/PRESTO-approved-at-transit-commission
PRESTO is a go.
After nine months of delays, about $4-million in lost revenue and multiple crippling errors, the Transit Commission gave the green light to the electronic fare system on Wednesday.
One member of the Transit Commission asked manager John Manconi how much money the new system will save the City.
"Smart cards generally do not result in saving dollars; they result in improved service and they result in driving ridership up," Manconi said.
City Treasurer Marian Simulik confirmed Metrolinx is reimbursing the City for those extra costs in addition to shaving $3-million off the $32-million price tag as a mea culpe for the failed launch.
Students with a universal bus pass will be the first to get the free cards, starting Thursday. The 118,500 cards available to the general public will be available starting May 18 via prestocard.ca. On May 27, cards will also be available at OC Transpo sales centres and some Transitway stations.
Once you have a card, you must load a minimum of $10. Every time you add money via the web it will take 24 to 48 hours before it is available to use. There is no delay if you top up your card in person at sales centres.
If you register your card online, you'll get the perk of overdraft. If you have no money on your card, the system will give you one free ride.
The planned fare increases for OC Transpo will take effect July 1. Those were supposed to be in place last July, but were shelved thanks to the failed launch of Presto.
Councillor Diane Deans said the goal is to have all riders get a card before that date. She pointed to the savings compared to cash and ticket fares.
A cash ride will cost you $3.30, whereas using the cash loaded onto your Presto card will cost $2.65.
Catherine Gardner, who uses Para Transpo, said the city is putting riders like herself on the back burner.
"It's horrible because come July 1, we're going to be stuck with higher fares because we don't have access to the Presto card."
Manconi insisted the city is consulting Para Transpo riders to develop a system, but Presto is not compatible.
PRESTO is a go.
After nine months of delays, about $4-million in lost revenue and multiple crippling errors, the Transit Commission gave the green light to the electronic fare system on Wednesday.
One member of the Transit Commission asked manager John Manconi how much money the new system will save the City.
"Smart cards generally do not result in saving dollars; they result in improved service and they result in driving ridership up," Manconi said.
City Treasurer Marian Simulik confirmed Metrolinx is reimbursing the City for those extra costs in addition to shaving $3-million off the $32-million price tag as a mea culpe for the failed launch.
Students with a universal bus pass will be the first to get the free cards, starting Thursday. The 118,500 cards available to the general public will be available starting May 18 via prestocard.ca. On May 27, cards will also be available at OC Transpo sales centres and some Transitway stations.
Once you have a card, you must load a minimum of $10. Every time you add money via the web it will take 24 to 48 hours before it is available to use. There is no delay if you top up your card in person at sales centres.
If you register your card online, you'll get the perk of overdraft. If you have no money on your card, the system will give you one free ride.
The planned fare increases for OC Transpo will take effect July 1. Those were supposed to be in place last July, but were shelved thanks to the failed launch of Presto.
Councillor Diane Deans said the goal is to have all riders get a card before that date. She pointed to the savings compared to cash and ticket fares.
A cash ride will cost you $3.30, whereas using the cash loaded onto your Presto card will cost $2.65.
Catherine Gardner, who uses Para Transpo, said the city is putting riders like herself on the back burner.
"It's horrible because come July 1, we're going to be stuck with higher fares because we don't have access to the Presto card."
Manconi insisted the city is consulting Para Transpo riders to develop a system, but Presto is not compatible.
