On Metrolinx's approval of using Student Universal Transit Passes on Presto cards

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - On September 14th, Metrolinx announced at their Board of Directors meeting that the Presto card will now be enabled with functionality that will support the use of any existing Universal Transit Passes that student unions or universities and colleges may offer. This is an important step towards the province's goal of fare integration, and this is something that students have been calling for since the creation of the Presto card program.

According to Metrolinx "The PRESTO enabled University pass (UPASS) program coming this fall will offer an automated solution for discounted fares to university students within their jurisdiction." Robert Hollis, Executive Vice President, Presto presenting this along with other issues during his report to the board.

"This year, students are demanding a transit system that is affordable and accessible for all," says Nour Alideeb, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario. "Students are calling on the provincial government to increase funding for transit infrastructure, to decrease rising transit fares, and to ensure that our transit systems are as efficient and as accessible as possible."

There are already multiple institutions in the province that provide a UPASS to their students, such as the University of Ottawa, the University of Toronto Mississauga, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Guelph. All of these students, and many more, will now be able to combine their UPASS with a Presto card.

"This is a good action that Metrolinx is taking," says Jose Wilson, Vice President External at the University of Toronto Mississauga Students Union. "The implementation of this will allow students who already use a UPASS to combine it with their Presto card. This is also getting us closer to our stated goal of receiving a Greater Toronto Area wide UPASS. That would save students large amounts of money, while also increasing transit ridership in the region."

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario unites more than 350,000 college and university students in all regions of the province.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario

Nour Alideeb, Chairperson at 416 925-3825 (office) or 647 896-4065 (cellphone)[email protected]; Sami Pritchard, National Executive Representative at 416 925-3825 (office) or 519 716-6590 (cellphone) or [email protected]; Alastair Woods, Government and Media Relations Coordinator at 416 925-3825 (office) or 647 378-8942 (cellphone) or [email protected]