The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area’s transit network is undergoing significant expansion, with projects such as the Hazel McCallion LRT (formerly Hurontario LRT) in Mississauga, the Scarborough Subway Extension in Toronto, and the Durham-Scarborough BRT bridging Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and Scarborough all in various stages of development.

However, local bus connections within the network rely on localized transit systems that set their own schedules and separate fares. For example, transit riders in Mississauga are served by MiWay, a local transit agency, whereas in Toronto, transit riders pay fares to the TTC.

Currently, whilst some of these services are integrated, others are not, and may even compete. A passenger transiting from a Mississauga bus to a Toronto bus, for example, will pay an extra fare, whereas someone connecting from a Brampton bus to York Region transit, will not.

This may change with the government’s new fare integration program planned to start at the end of 2023, which includes the TTC network and adjoining areas (source: CTV News), an exciting development that could open opportunities for cheaper and easier transit rides.

Access Planning has worked on projects involving fare integration in the Toronto area and the San Francisco Bay Area, and looks forward to contributing to the future of fare integration planning in the GTHA.

Access will be discussing further thoughts and questions on this issue in the following days - stay tuned for updates!