[drum118]

It been said from day one, that this fee increase will be a rip off for transit system so the supplier can make some big bucks. At the same time, its a sole supplier and the province not willing to look elsewhere.

Various systems are now seeing cost to use the system is costing more than the old media system and will have to either pass that cost onto the rider with a higher fare or ask the city for more money to cover operation cost.

TTC has opposed this system from day one, as they saw it was going to cost more than going to another supplier. Since this is a province thing, the province is saying "pay the cost or loose funding", putting systems into a corner. The province doesn't cover the cost of the Presto System for the transit system in the first place in its funding to them.

Never supported the Presto system from day one, as it can't do a number of things now or down the road, consider going to a true smart card is the way to go in the first place.

 

[steveintoronto]

It been said from day one, that this fee increase will be a rip off for transit system so the supplier can make some big bucks. At the same time, its a sole supplier and the province not willing to look elsewhere. [...] Never supported the Presto system from day one, as it can't do a number of things now or down the road, consider going to a true smart card is the way to go in the first place.

"Too Big to Fail" all over again. The politics of this stank from day one.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

I wonder if this is Metolinx trying to profit off of PRESTO, or if PRESTO's operating costs really are so high

 

[steveintoronto]

Oddly, there's no other news stories that Google lists other than the Ottawa Citizen one. This may be a false alarm, if not, guaranteed, this will go ballistic in the Toronto press.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

Oddly, there's no other news stories that Google lists other than the Ottawa Citizen one. This may be a false alarm, if not, guaranteed, this will go ballistic in the Toronto press.

No it was just an exclusive report. Other media outlets may verify it later on. But the Ottawa citizen is reputable so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[nfitz]

They seem to have increasing problems dealing with TTC streetcar transfers.

Below you can see a pretty typical 506 (west) to 505 (west) transfer at Broadview. The only catch is that the 505 was heading east on Gerrard, and then turning into service at Broadview, heading to Dundas West station.

And why can't I take this? The algorithm is too smart for it's own good.

Also, with 5 fares in a day (should have been 4), when are we going to see daily rate capping?

 

[Skeezix]

No it was just an exclusive report. Other media outlets may verify it later on. But the Ottawa citizen is reputable so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I noticed last night on Facebook that CBC Ottawa is also covering the story.

 

[steveintoronto]

I wonder if this is Metolinx trying to profit off of PRESTO, or if PRESTO's operating costs really are so high

More stories are hitting the media:

Reported Metrolinx fee hike 'a rip-off' says Transit chair
580 CFRA Radio - ‎6 hours ago‎
A report, saying Metrolinx plans to hike the fees it charges the City to use the Presto Card, has the chair of the Transit Commission saying the City "would be getting ripped off" if it happens. Metrolinx is a Crown agency that oversees the Presto Card ...

OC Transpo costs could rise if Presto fees balloon by millions
CBC.ca - ‎15 hours ago‎
OC Transpo fares could be under more pressure if the provincial agency that runs the Presto system is successful in charging Ottawa millions more to use the transit card. Toronto-based Metrolinx currently administers a fee of two-per-cent of Presto ...

Politicians might have to intervene in troubled Presto negotiations, Watson says
Ottawa Citizen - ‎20 hours ago‎
Politicians might have to step in to sort out a disagreement between the OC Transpo and Metrolinx transit agencies over how much more the city should pay to use Presto on public transit, Mayor Jim Watson says. “We don't want to be treated, nor do other ...

 

[TheTigerMaster]

Metrolinx is throwing its credibility down the drain. Someone there needs to explain these 10% charges.

 

[rbt]

Metrolinx is throwing its credibility down the drain. Someone there needs to explain these 10% charges.

30 cent transaction costs are massive for this kind of thing. That doesn't include equipment either.

Presto is mandated by the province but local politicians could still futz with pricing to have a cash fare of $3 and a Presto fare of $3.15 or something.

Basically cost ($2.80) + overhead of payment method.

 

[steveintoronto]

30 cent transaction costs are massive for this kind of thing. That doesn't include equipment either.

This issue seems, at least at this point in time, an Ottawa only one.

With what's been presented so far, it appears outrageous...however! Because this is just Ottawa-centric so far, I suspect some specific details are at play that don't pertain elsewhere.

It may also be a stiff bargaining position on the part of Metrolinx, since discussions are ongoing with many GTA operators. I'm still waiting for this to be addressed by the Toronto press. It looks awful, but we may not have the full story yet.

 

[rbt]

This issue seems, at least at this point in time, an Ottawa only one.

With what's been presented so far, it appears outrageous...however! Because this is just Ottawa-centric so far, I suspect some specific details are at play that don't pertain elsewhere.

It's possibly an Ottawa only issue; perhaps Metrolinx is trying to recoup costs for their initial botched deployment.

It's also possible that other transit agencies in negotiations simply haven't reached the point where they vent to the papers. Making inter-agency negotiations public usually doesn't work in your favour, particularly when you're also asking for capital money from that same agency.

Either way, Ottawa owns the reader equipment. They could tender for companies like InComm to do a pre-paid card support (hold a balance) and rebrand the machines for a fraction of the 10% transaction fees IF the machines process things in a standard way for Open payment.

 

[PinkLucy]

Presto is mandated by the province but local politicians could still futz with pricing to have a cash fare of $3 and a Presto fare of $3.15 or something.

Then everyone would go back to using cash, which is ridiculous in 2016. And there are costs to handling cash as well.

 

[steveintoronto]

t's also possible that other transit agencies in negotiations simply haven't reached the point where they vent to the papers.

That's the most probable case!

It's also possible that the association of Ontario municipalities (whatever their org is, cities might even have their own) is also bargaining hard on this in the other direction.

Make no mistake, I'm absolutely no fan of how Presto or a few other Metrolinx fiascoes have unfolded, but we're missing a bigger picture here. It might yet break in the TO press, but serious negotiators know the press is the last resort, not good bargaining.

 

[Steve X]

Metrolinx is throwing its credibility down the drain. Someone there needs to explain these 10% charges.

Someone is giving themselves a 10% raise

Then everyone would go back to using cash, which is ridiculous in 2016. And there are costs to handling cash as well.

It's cheaper to handle cash than to pay presto. The TTC knows this too. Presto charges the TTC 5.25% and only 2% for OCTranspo of every fare. Of course they'll force that number to be much higher.

In 2008, TTC was right from the beginning that they should invest in the next generation fare card and not Presto. No one believed them. Next year TTC riders will figure out how much money it cost to operate presto. The more taps instead of tokens, the more money they'll loose. They believe Presto will drive down fare evasion but those who are evading fares aren't likely going to pay in the first place. I expect a 5% (15 cents) raise on fares in 2018.