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TTC urged to stick with Presto travel cards
20 Apr 2010

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has been urged to stick with the Presto smart travel system it is currently developing for travel in and around the city.

Currently the organisation is considering opening up its proposed new payment system for transit systems in the Greater Toronto Area to allow debit card and mobile payments, as well as transit cards.

However, one analyst claims they should stick with the smart card travel system currently in development.

Speaking to Canadian website IT Business, IDC Financial Insights senior analyst Rob Burbach said that opening up the system further could lead to additional complications, as well as inflating costs.

"Going with another system would be a poor use of tax payers' money," he said.

"Rather than zipping through municipalities using one card, a rider might be required to use another payment device for Toronto."

The Presto transit cards will be similar in scope to those offered by sQuid and Oyster in the UK. 

sQuid smart travel cards are currently available to people making use of Arriva buses in the city of Bolton.