Presto card, valid ID needed for kids to ride TTC for free

By News Staff

All children under the age of 12 can currently ride the TTC for free but starting next year they’ll need to show ID to get the discount.

At a Monday night meeting, the TTC Board approved new fare policies: Children aged six to nine must carry Presto cards, and those aged 10 to 12 must carry a photo ID to ride for free.

Riders aged 13 to 19 must also carry a photo ID to get the youth discount.

“Ultimately your access to the system for everyone, regardless of your age, is going to be a card,” TTC Chair Josh Colle explained. “One of the challenges we’ve seen is the 14-year-old who claims they’re 12.”

In a report, the TTC said they lose $72.9 million annually to so-called concession fares. It’s broken down below:

  • Post-secondary monthly pass = $13.5 million
  • Senior cash, ticket, passes = $23.3 million
  • Student cash, ticket, passes = $27.8 million
  • Children free = $8.3 million

 

“We want to make sure it’s as user friendly as possible. I’ve got a six-, a 10- and a 12-year-old who ride transit. I guarantee you I’ll be holding the six-year-old’s card. He will not be,” said Colle. “At the same time there has to be some age identification on all our brackets, the same way a senior, in theory, could show a driver’s license to give proof of age.”

The TTC is cracking down on fare evasion, including on new streetcars with all-door boarding, and is asking for proof of payment on more routes. Asking children to carry passes and ID is just one more measure.

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