Yesterday, Tuesday, March 1, the Government of Ontario announced several measures that, it says, are “making it more convenient and affordable for people to use transit across the Greater Golden Horseshoe”. While the main part of the announcement focussed on eliminating second fares for passengers connecting between GO Transit and many local transit agencies, the government also plans to improve the discount for younger passengers using PRESTO fare cards.
Starting Monday, March 14, Metrolinx is increasing the PRESTO discount for youth and post-secondary students to 40 per cent off the full adult fare, almost double the current discount of 22.5 per cent. This applies to GO and UP Express passengers who are 13- to 19-years-old — or anyone who has enrolled in full-time post-secondary education. Kids younger than 12 continue to ride free aboard GO trains and buses.
Metrolinx is also expanding the eligibility for the student fare on GO and UPX to a broader youth fare.
^ Metrolinx is lowering GO and UPX fares for youth and post-secondary students - the PRESTO discount will increase from 22.5 per cent to 40 per cent off the full adult fare. Image, Metrolinx
The provincial transit agency is basing this fare on age only, available to passengers who are 13- to 19-years-old, regardless of whether you have enrolled in school. This change brings Metrolinx in line with most other transit agencies throughout the region.
If you have set up a youth fare on your PRESTO card, you must travel with your Canadian school-issued identification or government-issued ID as proof of age. To set up a post-secondary fare for GO and UP, you must have a GO Student ID card.
If you’ve set up your PRESTO card with the current student fare you’ll start receiving the greater discount March 14. On PRESTO channels, like on payment and loading devices, your online PRESTO account or on the PRESTO app, concessions will automatically change from “student” to “youth” later this spring.