Toronto Transit Commission fares

On the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), fares may be paid with various fare media. The price of fares is set according to the age of riders; children 12 years of age or under can ride on the TTC free of fare. Additionally, the TTC discounts the price of using other fare medium in comparison to cash fares.

Cash fares, tokens, and tickets are paid directly to the fare box located on all TTC buses, older streetcars and most subway entrances. The TTC is in the process of deprecating traditional fare media in favour of the Presto card, a contactless system of fare media, which is now widely available at all subway stations (at least one entrance per station) and on board all TTC surface vehicles (buses and streetcars) and will eventually be the only way to gain access on the TTC. Fares are priced per ride, not distance, although distance-based fares have been studied and proposed during the implementation of the Presto card.

A fare is good for one continuous trip on the TTC, including transfers between routes. The basic fare media are cash, tickets, and tokens. Riders paying using the basic media are entitled to one free transfer per trip, to be obtained when the fare is paid. Transfers are proofs-of-payment and allow riders to switch between most routes without paying additional fares.

Fares paid in cash are the most expensive. Fares paid in tickets or tokens are slightly discounted from the cash fares.

The fare, and the purchase cost of non-cash media, is based on the rider's age.

The Adult group (aged 13 and up) pay the highest fares. The Student (aged 13 to 19) and Senior (aged 65 or older) groups pay a discounted fare if they show supporting identification at the time of payment. Students must produce a Student ID. Seniors may use a TTC Senior's Photo ID or other appropriate photo ID.

The Child group (aged 2 years to 12 years) have been able to ride the system for free since March 1, 2015, when the fare group was eliminated as part of the 2015 TTC fare hike.

Tickets are available for seniors and students.

Adult tickets were issued until 29 September 2008, when they were withdrawn due to counterfeiting. Adult tickets were temporarily reissued between 23 November 2009 and 31 January 2010 to alleviate demand on tokens during a fare hike that also withdrew all older tickets and passes.

Tokens are sold only at Adult ticket prices but may be used by all riders.

Unlike cash and tickets, tokens may be used at automated turnstiles (except for the new swing-open paddle door Presto gates that were introduced in 2016). Some subway stations have completely automated entrances.

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