TTC will be free after 47 trips per month starting in two weeks

The TTC is rolling out a new program next month that caps fares for riders after a certain number of paid trips. 

Starting Sept. 1, you can receive free rides after 47 paid trips in a calendar month with no upfront costs through the transit agency's new monthly fare capping program, which was officially unveiled this past December. 

To take advantage of the program, you don't need to purchase a monthly pass in advance. All you have to do is tap to ride with the same PRESTO card, debit card, credit card, or mobile wallet every time, as trip counts are tracked separately by payment method.

"Fare capping is another step toward making transit more affordable for Torontonians," said Mayor Olivia Chow.

"Offering free rides after 47 taps means the more you ride, the less you pay. I am cutting the cost of taking the TTC to make life more affordable and encourage more people to take public transit. When more people choose transit, it will also help ease congestion on our roads." 

Trip counts will automatically reset at the beginning of every month, and the new fare model will apply to all fare types, including adults, seniors, and youth. 

As a result of the fare capping, the TTC's youth, adult, and senior TTC monthly passes (along with the youth and senior 12-month passes) will be discontinued as of Aug. 31. 

The transit agency says that adults who subscribe to the TTC 12-month pass and post-secondary students who purchase a TTC post-secondary monthly pass should continue to use these methods "as they guarantee the lowest fare and best value." 

Back in December, transit advocacy group TTCriders called the new fare capping model a "major win" for transit riders. 

"This is a major victory for transit riders after years of grassroots advocacy," said Andrew Pulsifer, Executive Director of TTCriders, at the time. 

"Riders tell us again and again that the cost of transit is a barrier to getting around the city." Pulsifer called the announcement "a direct result of thousands of people speaking up, signing petitions, sharing their stories, and demanding a fairer system. Fare capping will save riders money, remove financial uncertainty, and make the TTC more accessible to everyone."