The Ontario government has announced the extension of its One Fare program for an additional two years, aiming to provide continued financial relief for commuters in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Introduced in 2024, the initiative eliminates the need for riders to pay double fares when transferring between local transit systems and GO Transit. According to officials, the One Fare program has already saved Ontarians nearly $200 million and facilitated approximately 62 million free transfers among participating transit agencies.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria emphasized that the extension underscores the government’s dedication to making transportation more affordable.
“We’re prolonging the benefits of One Fare to ensure transit remains cost-effective and convenient, potentially saving commuters up to $1,600 annually,” Sarkaria stated.
Under the program, commuters can make seamless transfers between the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay, Peel TransHelp, and York Region Transit. Access to the One Fare program is available through a PRESTO card, debit card, or credit card, with transfers remaining valid for two hours when starting on local transit and three hours when originating from GO Transit.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow commended the program extension, highlighting its alignment with the city’s decision to freeze TTC fares for three successive years.
“With the continued implementation of the One Fare program, which enables commuters to pay just once when switching from GO Transit to the TTC, we are creating a more affordable city for Torontonians,” Chow expressed.
The One Fare program forms part of a comprehensive $70-billion provincial investment in transit, touted as the most extensive expansion initiative in North America.
Keyphrase: Ontario One Fare program