Transit fare hike delayed until Presto Card launch
Posted Jun 13, 2012 10:13:14 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The price of a bus ride in Ottawa is staying put, for the time being.
An upcoming fare hike has been pushed back until the issues with the Presto Card are resolved.
Transit fares were set to climb on Canada Day to coincide with the launch of the new OC Transpo payment system. But issues with card readers have forced the program to be delayed for about a month.
The decision was made at a special meeting of Ottawa’s Transit Commission at City Hall.
The city expects Presto’s parent company Metro Links will cover the cost of the delay, but Transit Commission Chair Diane Deans admits, there’s no formal agreement in place.
The head of the company met with Ottawa officials last week, and Deans says “He gave positive indications but this will formalize the request to Metro Links to cover those costs. It is my full expectation that Metro Links will cover our lost revenue and our costs.”
OC Transpo earmarked $850,000 for marketing the new tap and go user pay system, including posters and flyers outlining the July 1 launch. Anything printed with that date is being recalled.
