One transit system in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton will increase fares next week, another will offer free transit services at certain times, while another will end the period for exchanging old tickets for new ones.

The Hamilton Street Railway will introduce new fares starting Friday, June 1. The cash fare for adult passengers increases to $2.25, the cost of a single adult ticket to $1.75 and a monthly pass will be $70.00. Details of all new HSR fares.

HSR passengers with old tickets can still use them in fareboxes until August 31 by depositing an extra five cents with the ticket. After August 31, passengers will have to exchange the old tickets for new ones at the HSR ticket office in the Hamilton GO Centre on Hunter Street East.

Milton Transit will offer free transit service on all routes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays only, beginning Friday, June 1. The Town of Milton will be breaking new ground as the only municipality in Canada to offer system-wide free transit services for an extended period.

Thursday, May 31, is the last day that Mississauga Transit passengers can exchange old tickets for new ones. They can exchange the tickets at the City Centre Terminal ticket office on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. They can also exchange old tickets for new ones at MT’s Islington Station ticket office, weekdays only from 6 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. or at MT’s head office, 975 Central Parkway West, weekdays only from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Passengers with more than 50 old tickets can only exchange them at the MT head office.

Upcoming fare increase

Durham Region Transit will increase fares on Sunday, July 1. Details of current and new DRT fares.

Other recent fare increases

The Toronto Transit Commission raised fares on April 1, 2006.

Oakville Transit raised fares on July 1, 2006.

Burlington Transit raised fares on September 5, 2006.

Durham Region Transit increased seniors and access fares only on January 1, 2007.

York Region Transit raised fares on January 1, 2007. Passengers can continue to use old tickets on YRT buses until December 31, 2007.

Brampton Transit raised fares on February 5, 2007.

Milton Transit raised fares on April 2, 2007.