The other day I had lunch with a friend who now works for Presto, the group bringing the long awaited smartcard technology to the GTA and eventually into Toronto.
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The process of integrating smarts cards into the TTC is moving at a near glacial pace. It appears the TTC is being uber-cautious as it proceeds with the implementation of this, 20th century technology.
The TTC’s best guess is that it will take 5 years to fully integrate their system to work with Presto’s smartcards. By the end of 2010 Toronto should have 6 central subway stations equipped with Presto card technology.
Smart cards might have helped TTC riders avoid some of the token hoarding frustration and the confusing reintroduction of paper tickets, the advance of the unfair 2010 fare hike.