Metrolinx signs agreements with Toronto, TTC

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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In Toronto, ON, Canada, Metrolinx has signed agreements with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the city of Toronto to improve public transit and ease congestion.

Under one agreement, the TTC will implement PRESTO fare card technology in all subway stations, buses and streetcars by 2016. This will allow commuters to travel seamlessly and more conveniently within the TTC and across eight municipal transit systems equipped with PRESTO in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

A second agreement formalizes the construction and future operation of four new light-rail transit (LRT) lines in Toronto. Metrolinx will own the LRT lines and the TTC will operate them.

“These important agreements signed today will keep commuters moving across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. With just a tap of their PRESTO fare cards, commuters are provided an easy and streamlined connection to subways, streetcars, buses and the GO Transit network across eight municipal transit systems,” said Bob Chiarelli, minister of Transportation.

More than 400,000 transit users in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area are already using PRESTO fare cards. The cards are currently available at all GO stations, on all GO buses and eight municipal transit systems, including 14 TTC subway stations.

Ontario is investing C$8.4 billion (US$ 8.5 million) to build the new LRT lines in Toronto, Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Scarborough LRT, Finch West LRT and Sheppard East LRT.

Construction on the Eglinton Crosstown is underway and scheduled to be completed by 2020.

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