Image: YRT

Metrolinx continues to examine ways to integrate fares across the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton. One of the ways it’s considering is to implement fare zones to calculate how much you should pay when you travel by transit through the region.

Meanwhile, starting Canada Day, Saturday, July 1, York Region Transi is removing fare zones across York Region. You can travel from the northern parts of the region to the southern with just one fare. (You’ll still have to complete your trip within two hours to avoid an extra fare.)

However, YRT continues to sort out issues to make sure this new one-zone policy works for passengers using PRESTO fare cars. To make sure that you only have to pay a single fare, when crossing the former zone boundaries at King, Bloomington and Ravenshoe Roads continue to:

• Press the two- or three-zone button, then tap your card on the PRESTO device at the terminal or vivastation, if riding a Viva bus; or
• Advise the driver that you will be travelling into former Zones 2 or three (by crossing the zone boundary at King, Bloomington or Ravenshoe Roads). The driver will adjust the on-bus PRESTO device accordingly.

If you follow these temporary steps, the PRESTO system will not deduct the zone upgrade fare and will only charge you a single fare. YRT says, “We are working through some issues with the system, and will communicate updates as soon as they are available.”

Starting Monday, July 3, passengers riding buses operating along the 320 Newmarket - Beaver Creek express route no longer have to buy a zone upgrade, but still must pay the express fare supplement of 50 cents and regular fares.

Starting Canada Day, Saturday, July 1, YRT is also raising fares and becoming “paperless”.