York Region's YRT/Viva scrapping paper tickets, 2-zone fares

YorkRegion.com
June 14, 2017
Lisa Queen

York Region public transit riders will have to get on board with a number of changes coming to YRT/Viva as of Canada Day.

The changes will cover the two-zone fare structure, paper tickets and passes and fare increases, general manager Ann-Marie Carroll, said.

At least one long-time rider is concerned about the adjustments.

Vijay Sandrasagra, a language interpreter and security officer from Richmond Hill who uses several GTA transit systems, is worried they could create a hardship for seniors and lower-income residents and cost riders more in the long run.

The region is scrapping its two zones, meaning riders travelling north of Bloomington Sideroad will no longer have to pay an extra $1.

While fares based on distance will likely be brought in across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in time, it makes sense to do get rid of the two zones in York now, Carroll said.

“The only zone that we had was in the north-south direction. We don’t have zones in the east-west direction. So, it makes it consistent across the region,” she said.

Riders will continue to be able to travel on one fare for two hours.

But Sandrasagra believes YRT/Viva will eventually find a way to recoup the lost revenue from eliminating the two-zone fares by spreading the cost to all riders.

YRT/Viva is also going paperless. As of July 1, paper tickets and passes will no longer be sold, although they will continue to be accepted until the end of 2017.

The region is introducing a new mobile app called YRT/Viva Pay, which will allow customers to purchase fares through their smartphones. It will be available for free as of July 1.

Customers can also use Presto, an electronic fare card which can be used on public transit throughout the 905 area, with Toronto expected to fully implement it by the end of the year, Carroll said.

Regular riders can buy monthly passes on their Presto card while others can load a dollar amount of their choosing on their card and use it with no time limit.

Card holders then just tap their card on Presto device at the beginning of their journey.

For the time being, Presto does not yet provide a way to pay both TTC and YRT/Viva fare using a Presto card. Customers using TTC in York Region are advised not to use Presto, and continue using paper tickets or passes sold at select southern municipal fare agent locations or with the new YRT/Viva Pay app starting July 1. The TTC is working with Presto on a solution, which will be communicated once available.

But with the elimination of machines where riders can buy tickets, Sandrasagra believes having to obtain Presto cards and fares online or at YRT/Viva’s head office at 50 High Tech Rd. in Richmond Hill, at agents or at regional events will be a hardship for many seniors and low-income residents.

He is also upset with the increase in fares coming into effect.

NEED TO KNOW

An adult Presto or YRT/Viva payment will be $3.63 on July 1, bumping up to $3.75 on July 1, 2018 and $3.88 on July 1, 2019.

A youth Presto or YRT/Viva payment will be $2.85 on July 1, $3 on July 1, 2018 and $3.03 on July 1, 2019.

A senior or child Presto or YRT/Viva payment will be $2.30 on July 1, increasing to $2.35 on July 1, 2018 and to $2.40 on July 1, 2019.

The cash fare for all riders will be $4 until July 1, 2019, when it will climb to $4.25.