Presto TTC

The 5 worst things about using PRESTO on the TTC

The PRESTO rollout has reached far and wide across the TTC system as the end of 2016 comes near. With card readers and fare gates available at over 50 subway stations and almost all surface routes, it's finally become possible to ditch tokens. But, the transition hasn't been without headaches. Glitchy machines and a slow online fare reloading process are common complaints for users.

Here are the five worst things about being a PRESTO user in Toronto right now.

1. Waiting for up to 24 hours when you've reloaded your card online. That's just too long in 2016 and a major inconvenience if you use a station entrance without reload machines.

2. Reliability! There's been well documented problems with PRESTO card readers on buses and elsewhere, which is a significant deterrent for many considering the switch to only the green card. Who wants to carry back-up fare?

3. Double billing! It's frustrating when glitches in the system don't allow you to use the card as a transfer when travelling from surface routes to stations without bus bays or streetcar platforms.

4. Negative balance fees. It's actually nice that you can use overdraft to make one last ride if your balance is too low, but the 25 cent fee just gets annoying after it happens a few times.

5. No fare passes or automatic caps. The good news is that this is on the way for 2017, when the Metropass discount plan will be available on PRESTO cards, but the delay in implementation means that heavy TTC users are penalized for using PRESTO right now.

Did we miss something? Add your frustrations in the comments.

Photo via PRESTO's Facebook page.


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