TTC riders are one step closer to being allowed to take multiple transit trips on a single fare after the TTC board approved its transfer policy Tuesday. The policy will go to council next week to be considered for the 2018 budget. If approved, Toronto will join transit agencies across the GTA, all of which permit riders a two-hour window to transfer from one bus (or in Toronto’s case, subway or streetcar) to the next without having to pay more than once, said a staff report.The TTC’s transfer policy would only be available for Metrolinx’s Presto card users, the report said. Metrolinx has told TTC staff it will take until next August to implement and cost a one-time set-up fee of $5 million, which several board members called into question.“Honestly, I can’t fathom why in the 21st century it would take as long as Metrolinx claims it does,” said Councillor Mary Fragedakis, a TTC board member. Board member Rick Byers questioned whether Metrolinx was taking advantage of the situation. “Is this like a change order on a construction project and the contractor knows they have you?” said Byers. “We’re exposed here; $5 million does seem like a ton of dough to make a tweak on the program.”It comes down to updating Presto software and rewriting code to allow time-based transfers, said TTC CEO Andy Byford.“We challenged them on the timeframe and to be fair, they said that’s the time it takes to calibrate various things,” said Byford. “We are pushing to get the cost reduced and I think they can get the cost reduced.” The TTC will request from Metrolinx a more detailed schedule and cost structure if council approves the policy, Byford said.Other board members touted the policy as a way to make transit more affordable and flexible, while encouraging riders to make the switch to Presto and drawing in new customers. “This policy will make our transit system resilient and proact ...
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