OC Transpo has announced the introduction of daily fare capping for Presto card users, a move aimed at making transit more affordable and convenient for Ottawa residents. Starting immediately, riders using Presto cards will automatically have their fares capped at the cost of a daily pass, meaning they will never pay more than the daily maximum regardless of how many trips they take.
How Daily Fare Capping Works
The new system calculates the total fares accumulated throughout the day and automatically stops charging once the rider reaches the daily pass price. For example, if a daily pass costs $10.50, once a rider's total fares reach that amount, all subsequent trips that day are free. This eliminates the need for riders to pre-purchase a day pass or worry about exceeding the cost of multiple single fares.
Benefits for Riders
- Cost savings: Frequent riders will benefit from not having to buy a separate day pass.
- Convenience: No need to calculate fares or remember to purchase a pass.
- Automatic: The cap is applied automatically on the Presto card, with no action required from the rider.
OC Transpo officials say the change is part of a broader effort to simplify the fare system and encourage more people to use public transit. The daily cap applies to all Presto card users, including those using adult, senior, and student passes.
Implementation Details
The fare capping is effective immediately for all Presto card transactions. Riders can check their fare balance and daily totals online or through the Presto app. The system resets each day at midnight, so the cap applies on a per-day basis.
This initiative follows similar programs in other Canadian cities and is expected to reduce the financial burden on commuters who make multiple trips in a single day. OC Transpo plans to monitor the program closely and may expand it to include weekly or monthly caps in the future.
