Metrolinx received the Innovation Award at the 2024 CUTA Awards Ceremony.

Before the “New Ways to Pay” initiative, transit users in Southern Ontario and Ottawa primarily relied on the PRESTO card, a stored value card launched in 2010. While it served 4.7 million customers across 11 agencies, advancements in payment technology and the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the demand for modern, touch-free payment options.

In response, Metrolinx launched the initiative to enhance fare integration by offering various payment options, including major credit cards and a digital PRESTO card for mobile wallets. The initiative aimed to reduce cash transactions, improve operational efficiency, accommodate diverse fare structures, and enhance accessibility for all users.

Key innovations included PRESTO Contactless, allowing direct credit/debit card use, and the first digital PRESTO card for Apple and Google Wallet.

Since its implementation, the initiative has led to significant increases in ridership, with over 75 million boardings recorded, and an 83% customer satisfaction rate for contactless payments. Additionally, by June 2024, contactless payments and digital cards made up 20% of the PRESTO product mix, demonstrating a successful transformation in transit payment methods.