Not sure if this has been posted yet? (forgive the source being the Sun, - got the link from SpacingTO, i swear!)
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/10/18/15736041.html
New technology on the way for Presto fare card: Minister
You’ll soon be able to tap and swipe your way to work on public transit, says Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne.
In response to a friendly question from Liberal backbencher Kevin Flynn, Wynne told the Legislature Monday the government has started to develop the “next generation” of technology.
The province and TTC clashed earlier this year over which technology to use for fare payment across the GTA.
In July, the province defended its choice of the Presto card — which has a radio-enabled microchip that’s swiped at the farebox, with the fare is deducted automatically.
Wynne said she wants to avoid duplication and ensure there is a seamless system of payment across the GTA.
TTC chairman Adam Giambrone said that technology is out of date, and said he favoured open payment, a system that allowed commuters to tap their credit cards, debit cards and cellphones at stations to pay their fare.
Wynne issued a press release at that time, pointing out that the provincial government was providing funding for Transit City on the understanding that they adopt the Presto card.
She said at that time Presto could evolve to use credit and debit cards, as well as cellphones.
That technology is now being developed, she said Monday.
“We’ve also begun to develop the next generation of Presto technology...
“What will happen is Presto will be able to accept different types of payments, such as contactless credit cards, debit cards and cellphones,” Wynne said.
Fourteen thousand riders have signed on to the Presto card since it came out. Over the summer it was rolled out on the Lakeshore west GO line, Oakville Transit, Burlington Transit and at nine TTC stations.
This fall it’s going to go live on the Milton and Georgetown GO lines. By March 2011, it will be fully rolled out on all seven GO Transit lines, including buses, and eight municipal transit systems in the GTA.
Giambrone did not return calls or e-mails for comment.