Comparing
Current GTHA Fare Systems

To understand why we need to have a better integrated system, we need to understand what we currently have and how it works, or doesn't work, together. The following GTHA transit agencies are covered on this page:

To start, there are two basic fare types used in the GTHA:

Toronto Transit Commission The TTC operates a single zone system within the boundaries of the City of Toronto.

Operations Outside of Toronto

The occasional route, such as Steeles East 53B and 53E loop using streets outside the city limits, but this is considered still part of the same fare zone. In this situation, there are no transfer privileges to non-TTC routes.

A number of other routes operate to points outside of the city limits, under contract to another transit agency. This means that once outside of the Toronto border, the bus is really a bus for the other agency. A separate fare for the other agency is collected, and may be paid using cash or the other agency's tickets, passes, or valid transfer. As a convenience, an additional TTC ticket or token is accepted with an appropriate cash supplement for payment of the other agency's fare. Transfers issued to a passenger paying the fare for the other agency are punched to indicate this and are accepted on vehicles of the other agency at an appropriate transfer point within a reasonable time.

TTC Times Two with GO Transit

Though stop-overs are not allowed on a single-fare, the exception to this is when part of the journey uses GO Transit.

A transfer obtained on a TTC vehicle for travel to a GO station, followed by travel on the next available GO Train, may be used to board the next available TTC vehicle at the destination station within Toronto. A full list of where this is possible can be found on the TTC's website at this page.

Multi-system Weekly Pass

The TTC manages a GTA weekly pass that is accepted for seamless travel on the TTC, Brampton Transit, MiWay, and York Region Transit. The current price for this pass is $61.

York Region Transit YRT operates a three-zone system in York Region, serving the municipalities of Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Aurora, Newmarket, Keswick, and Georgina. Operations include regular bus routes and its VIVA bus rapid transit system. Several routes are operated under contract to the TTC using TTC vehicles.

Fare Zones

The southern border of zone 1 is located along Steeles Avenue (Toronto/York border) and the zone extends north to Bloomington Road. The southern end of zone 2 is located at King Sideroad and the zone extends north to Ravenshoe Road. All of York Region north Holborn Road is in Zone 3.

When crossing a fare zone boundary, a $1 cash supplement is payable if only a single zone fare was previously paid. Note that zone 1 and zone 2 overlap between King Sideroad and Bloomington Road, and zone 2 and zone 3 overlap between Holborn Road and Ravenshoe Road. A single zone fare applies for travel to and from a neighbouring zone into one of these "dual zone" areas.

Operations Outside of York Region

YRT operates a number of routes that travel into the City of Toronto, serving the Don Mills subway station, Finch subway station, Downsview subway station, and the York University campus. No extra fare is charged when crossing the border, however there are no transfer privileges to and from the TTC south of Steeles. YRT/VIVA routes can only drop off passengers travelling towards a destination within Toronto and may only pick up passengers when returning to York Region while within Toronto.

EXCEPTION: See VIVA Orange/TTC Fare Integration below.

TTC Routes in York Region

TTC routes operating in York Region do so under contract to YRT. A valid YRT fare is needed while traveling within York Region. At this time, TTC vehicles are not equipped with Presto card readers, so Presto users must obtain a paper transfer if their trip begins on a YRT/VIVA route, or must pay their fare through another method when boarding the TTC vehicle in York Region. The TTC fare is payable if the trip continues across the border into Toronto.

Brampton Transit Routes in York Region

Brampton Transit routes operating in York Region accept a valid YRT fare or pass.

Transfers from Other Agencies

YRT/VIVA accepts transfers, provided they have not expired, from the following agencies:

• Brampton Transit
• Burlington Transit
• Durham Region Transit
• Hamilton Street Railway
• MiWay
• Oakville Transit
• TTC Contracted Routes in York Region (punched "Zone 3")

VIVA Orange/TTC Fare Integration

Passengers may ride VIVA Orange between Downsview Station and York University with a TTC pass or transfer.

Multi-system Weekly Pass

Managed by the TTC, the GTA weekly pass is accepted for seamless travel on the TTC, Brampton Transit, MiWay, and York Region Transit. The current price for this pass is $61.

GO Transit Fare Integration

YRT offers a "Ride to GO" fare of 75 cents. A passenger heading to a GO station may pay this fare when showing an appropriate GO fare. The YRT/VIVA route heading to the station may be either a regular route (including TTC contracted routes) or a special YRT GO Shuttle route. Travelling from a GO station, the passenger must show either a GO pass, or a single fare receipt or cancelled ticket with the current date/time on the cancellation.

When using Presto, the regular YRT fare will be deducted from the card's e-Purse balance, however when the same Presto card is used for the GO Transit fare (within 2 hours), the amount deducted to cover the GO Transit fare will be reduced by the difference between the regular YRT fare and the 75 cent "Ride to GO" fare. When boarding YRT after using GO (within 2.5 hours of the start of trip), only 75 cents is charged.

Brampton Transit Brampton Transit operates a single zone system within the City of Brampton. Züm route 501/501A travels through York Region on its way to York University in Toronto.

Operations Outside of Brampton

Brampton's Züm route 501/501A (Queen) and co-exists with VIVA Orange between Highway 7/Martin Grove and York University and fare for either service applies. Valid Brampton transfers are valid to board YRT services.

Transfers from Other Agencies

Brampton Transit accepts transfers, provided they have not expired, from the following agencies:

• Burlington Transit
• Durham Region Transit
• Hamilton Street Railway
• MiWay
• Oakville Transit
• TTC - "Zone 3" punched transfers only
• York Region Transit

Multi-system Weekly Pass

Managed by the TTC, the GTA weekly pass is accepted for seamless travel on the TTC, Brampton Transit, MiWay, and York Region Transit. The current price for this pass is $61.

GO Transit Fare Integration

Brampton Transit offers a "Ride to GO" fare of 75 cents. A passenger heading to a GO station may pay this fare when showing an appropriate GO fare. Travelling from a GO station, the passenger must show either a GO pass, or a single fare receipt or cancelled ticket with the current date/time on the cancellation.

When using Presto, the regular Brampton fare will be deducted from the card's e-Purse balance, however when the same Presto card is used for the GO Transit fare (within 2 hours), the amount deducted to cover the GO Transit fare will be reduced by the difference between the regular Brampton fare and the 75 cent "Ride to GO" fare. When boarding Brampton Transit after using GO (within 2.5 hours of the start of trip), only 75 cents is charged.

MiWay MiWay (the new Mississauga Transit) operates a single zone system within the City of Mississauga, with routes extending into Toronto, and one seasonal route into York Region. One route within Mississauga is operated under contract to the TTC using TTC vehicles.

Operations Outside of Mississauga

MiWay operates a number of routes that travel into the City of Toronto, serving the Islington subway station, Long Branch GO station, Sherway Gardens, Woodbine Centre, and Humber College. No extra fare is charged when crossing the border, however there are no transfer privileges to and from the TTC. MiWay routes can only drop off passengers travelling towards a destination within Toronto and may only pick up passengers when returning to Mississauga while within Toronto.

MiWay operates an express route between Square One and Canada's Wonderland. This service operates weekends only in the spring and fall, and daily in the summer. This service has a special fare, but free transfers are allowed when transferring from this route to other MiWay routes at Square One.

TTC Routes in Mississauga

One TTC route (Malton 58) operates in Mississauga contract to MiWay. A valid MiWay fare is needed while traveling within Mississauga. At this time, TTC vehicles are not equipped with Presto card readers, so Presto users must obtain a paper transfer if their trip begins on another MiWay route, or must pay their fare through another method when boarding the TTC vehicle in Mississauga. The TTC fare is payable if the trip continues across the border into Toronto.

Transfers from Other Agencies

MiWay accepts transfers, provided they have not expired, from the following agencies:

• Brampton Transit
• Burlington Transit
• Hamilton Street Railway
• Oakville Transit
• York Region Transit
• TTC - "Zone 3" punched transfers only

Oakville Transit Fare Integration

MiWay will accept Oakville Transit passes, but only at locations where the two services connect (Clarkson GO station and South Common Centre).

Multi-system Weekly Pass

Managed by the TTC, the GTA weekly pass is accepted for seamless travel on the TTC, Brampton Transit, MiWay, and York Region Transit. The current price for this pass is $61.

GO Transit Fare Integration

MiWay offers a "Ride to GO" fare of 80 cents, but only with Presto.

Heading to GO, the regular MiWay fare will be deducted from the card's e-Purse balance, however when the same Presto card is used for the GO Transit fare (within 2 hours), the amount deducted to cover the GO Transit fare will be reduced by the difference between the regular MiWay fare and the 80 cent "Ride to GO" fare. When boarding MiWay after travelling on GO (within 2.5 hours of starting the trip on GO), only 80 cents is charged.

Durham Region Transit DRT operates a single zone system in Durham Region, serving the municipalities of Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Brock, Scugog, and Uxbridge.

One Fare Anywhere in Durham Region

The DRT agreement with GO Transit integrates GO Bus services as part of the DRT system making travel within Durham Region simple, more convenient and affordable.

Proof of a DRT fare in advance is required when boarding a GO bus. A valid transfer obtained on a DRT bus will be accepted on the GO bus, provided your trip does not continue outside of Durham Region. Cash fares are not accepted on the GO buses at DRT fare rates - starting a trip on a GO bus requires the use of a DRT ticket or pass to get the DRT fare rate.

Pre-paid DRT fares (ticket, passes or DRT transfers) are accepted on the following GO Bus routes:

• Routes 90: Oshawa/Newcastle
• Route 71: Stouffville-Uxbridge, between Uxbridge and Goodwood only
• Route 81: Beaverton/Port Perry/Whitby

GO Transit Fare Integration

DRT offers a "Ride to GO" fare of 75 cents. A passenger heading to a GO station may pay this fare when showing an appropriate GO fare. Travelling from a GO station, the passenger must show either a GO pass, or a single fare receipt or cancelled ticket with the current date/time on the cancellation.

When using Presto, the DRT cash fare will be deducted from the card's e-Purse balance, however when the same Presto card is used for the GO Transit fare (within 2 hours), the amount deducted to cover the GO Transit fare will be reduced by the difference between the DRT cash fare and the 75 cent "Ride to GO" fare. When boarding DRT after travelling on GO (within 2.5 hours of starting the trip on GO), only 75 cents is charged.

Oakville Transit Oakville Transit operates a single zone system within the City of Oakville.

Transfers from Other Agencies

Oakville Transit accepts transfers from all systems (except GO and the TTC) within two hours of their issue time. This includes:

• Brampton Transit
• Burlington Transit
• Durham Region Transit
• Hamilton Street Railway
• MiWay
• York Region Transit

MiWay Transit Fare Integration

Oakville Transit will accept MiWay passes, but only at locations where the two services connect (Clarkson GO station and South Common Centre). Oakville Transit pass users connecting to requiring more than one MiWay route to reach their destination should request a a paper transfer from the last Oakville Transit bus prior to transferring to MiWay.

GO Transit Fare Integration

Oakville Transit offers a "Ride to GO" fare of 75 cents. A passenger heading to a GO station may pay this fare when showing an appropriate GO fare. Travelling from a GO station, the passenger must show either a GO pass, or a single fare receipt or cancelled ticket with the current date/time on the cancellation.

When using Presto, the regular Oakville Transit fare will be deducted from the card's e-Purse balance, however when the same Presto card is used for the GO Transit fare (within 2 hours), the amount deducted to cover the GO Transit fare will be reduced by the difference between the regular Oakville Transit fare and the 75 cent "Ride to GO" fare. When boarding Oakville Transit after travelling on GO (within 2.5 hours of starting the trip on GO), only 75 cents is charged.

Burlington Transit Burlington Transit operates a single zone system within the City of Burlington, with routes extending to downtown Hamilton and the RioCan Centre in Oakville.

Transfers to Neighbouring Systems

One may transfer between neighbouring systems, HSR and Oakville Transit at the following locations:

• HSR: Transfer at the Burlington Bus Terminal and in the Hamilton downtown core.
• Oakville Transit: Transfer at Lakeside Village or the RioCan Centre.

GO Transit Fare Integration

Burlington Transit offers a "Ride to GO" fare of 70 cents. A passenger heading to a GO station may pay this fare when showing an appropriate GO fare. When travelling from a GO station, the passenger must show either a GO pass, or a single fare receipt or cancelled ticket with the current date/time on the cancellation.

When using Presto, the regular Burlington Transit fare will be deducted from the card's e-Purse balance, however when the same Presto card is used for the GO Transit fare (within 2 hours), the amount deducted to cover the GO Transit fare will be reduced by the difference between the regular Burlington Transit fare and the 70 cent "Ride to GO" fare. When boarding Burlington Transit after travelling on GO (within 2.5 hours of starting the trip on GO), only 70 cents is charged.

Hamilton Street Railway HSR operates a single zone system within the City of Hamilton, with services reaching Stoney Creek, Dundas, Ancaster, and Burlington.

Burlington Transit Fare Integration

On payment of a regular HSR fare (cash, ticket, pass, or transfer), when transferring onto the 11-Parkdale service or other services heading into the King/James area, the operator should be asked for a transfer to connect to the Burlington service once you reach the Aldershot GO Station, Burlington Terminal or King & James. This transfer will be accepted by all Burlington Transit operators to continue your trip from your transferring point.

If you need to make another connection once in Burlington, the HSR transfer must be surrendered to obtain a Burlington Transit transfer from the BT operator. The same will applies when paying a fare to Burlington Transit. A transfer is obtained from the Burlington Transit operator and surrendered to the HSR operator at either the Aldershot GO Station, Burlington Terminal or at King & James. Those needing to connect to additional HSR services, must ask the HSR operator for a new transfer.

GO Transit Fare Integration

HSR offers a single-trip "Ride to GO" fare of 55 cents, but only for Presto users. When using Presto, the regular HSR fare will be deducted from the card's e-Purse balance, however when the same Presto card is used for the GO Transit fare (within 2 hours), the amount deducted to cover the GO Transit fare will be reduced by the difference between the regular YRT fare and the 55 cent "Ride to GO" fare.When boarding HSR after travelling on GO (within 2.5 hours of starting the trip on GO), only 55 cents is charged.

Grand River Transit GRT operates a single zone system within the municipalities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo.

GO Transit Fare Integration

GRT offers a "Ride to GO" fare of 50 cents. A passenger heading to a GO station may pay this fare when showing an appropriate GO fare or Presto card. Travelling from a GO station, the passenger must show either a GO receipt or Presto card. Note that GRT does not accept the Presto card as a payment method.

GO Transit GO Transit operates a multi-zone regional system reaching beyond the GTHA to include Niagara and Simcoe Regions.

Local Operator Fare Integration

With the exception of the TTC (operating in Toronto), GO subsidiizes the cost of a local transit trip to and from a GO station. See the GO Transit Fare Integration section of other agencies for details.