TTC riders can transfer to and from GO Transit for free as of Feb. 26

Good news for Toronto transit riders. TTC customers will be able to transfer to and from GO Transit for free starting later this month. 

On Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announced that the “One Fare” program will launch on Feb. 26. 

The program allows riders in the GTA to pay only one fare as they transfer between the TTC and participating transit agencies, including GO Transit. 

For trips connecting between TTC and GO Transit, the TTC component of the trip will become free regardless of travel direction, and for trips connecting between TTC and local transit systems, the second portion of the trip will become free. Transfers are valid for two hours for trips using local transit and within three hours of the start of a GO Transit trip. Customers must remember to tap PRESTO cards at the start and end of their trip. 

“One Fare will eliminate double fares and put $1,600 back into the pockets of transit riders. Alongside the hundreds of dollars we’re saving for drivers by cutting the gas tax, scrapping road tolls and eliminating the licence plate sticker fee, we’re providing commuters with real, tangible relief,” Ford said during a press conference on Monday. 

Ford says the program will be fully funded by the Ontario government and will lead to over eight million new rides every year. 

The move comes after the government cut costs for GO Transit users back in March 2022. The GO Transit co-fare discount applied to most transit agencies across the Greater Golden Horseshoe except the TTC, which will now be included as of Feb. 26. 

“Ontario’s One Fare will make it easier and cheaper to transfer between the TTC, GO Transit and other transit agencies. When governments continue to work together, we can make life more affordable and invest in services families rely on, like high quality public transit that costs you less,” Chow said in a statement. 

Since last year, transit users across the GTA and Hamilton have been able to tap their debit or credit cards on PRESTO devices to pay for their fare instead of using a PRESTO card. 

-NOWToronto