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Is there a cost to purchase a card?
Yes. When you purchase a new PRESTO card, there is a $6 issuance fee. This card is good for four years.
How does the card know if I am a student, adult or senior?
If you are paying an adult fare, you simply purchase your card, load it up with money and you're ready to go. If you need a student or senior card (these are called concession cards) then you will need to follow these steps:
You only have to do this once. You can load value online or in person once a concession card is set up.
When you tap your card onto a PRESTO device, a bus driver will be alerted to the type of card that is tapped. A PRESTO card cannot be used to pay for more than one type of fare.
How do I load value onto my card?
In Oakville, you can load value onto your card using cash, debit or credit at the above locations during regular business hours. Visit www.oakvilletransit.ca for details. Value can be loaded on all cards online 24/7 at prestocard.ca
Is there a maximum/minimum amount on the card?
At time of purchase, you must load a minimum value of $10. At any given time, your e-Purse can hold a maximum value of $1,000.
How do I check the balance on my card?
Each time you tap your card on a PRESTO Fare Payment device when boarding, it will display the transaction fee for your ride as well as the remaining balance on your card. Additional PRESTO devices that can verify your balance are located at purchase locations. Cardholders can also check their balance online at the PRESTO website.
Should I register my card?
Registering your PRESTO card has numerous benefits. Cards must be registered prior to setting a concession fare (child/student and senior fares).
Lost or stolen cards: Report a missing registered card and have it blocked. You will be responsible only for the value spent within 24 hours of reporting the loss. The remaining value can be transferred to a replacement fare card.
Autoload: Registration allows you to sign up for Autoload. With the Autoload option, money is transferred to your PRESTO card from your bank account or credit card when the card value reaches a pre-determined level.
Emergency trip: If you need to get somewhere fast, but don't have enough on your card to cover the trip, you can make a single trip and incur a negative balance, provided you don't have a zero balance to begin with. A small fee will apply.
What about my privacy?
PRESTO will ensure that personal information is protected and all data is stored safely. The system meets all legislation and guidelines that are designed to protect your privacy. Your name will not appear on your PRESTO card nor is any personal information stored on it.
With PRESTO, a fare is deducted from your card each time you travel. There is a built-in loyalty program and Oakville Transit riders will receive fare discounts based upon the number of rides taken and the value of the fares accumulated within the calendar month.
Adult (20 to 64 years)
Number of rides Cost/trip
rides 1-35 $2.65
ride 36 and more $0
Child/Student (6 to19 years who are attending primary or full time secondary school only)
Number of rides Cost/trip
rides 1-28 $2.15
ride 29 and more $0
*Children age five and under, accompanied by a fare paying adult, are permitted to ride free of charge.
Senior (65 years and over)
Number of rides Cost/trip
rides 1-29 $1.75
ride 30 and more $0
How will PRESTO affect fares?
Each transit provider sets its own fares. The price you pay per ride using the PRESTO card will change based on how often you ride. A current monthly pass will be equal to 35 rides using your PRESTO card.
Will the PRESTO card work for all fares?
Yes. PRESTO is now available for child/student, adult and senior fares.
Can I use my PRESTO card to pay for an additional person?
Yes. When boarding the bus, tap onto the bus PRESTO fare payment device as per usual and then notify the bus driver you wish to pay for an additional rider. You may pay for up to five additional people and each additional person will be charged the cash fare. Each additional customer will be issued a two-hour paper transfer.
Will I still get a co-fare discount when I take Oakville Transit to or from the GO Train?
Yes. PRESTO will calculate co-fare automatically.
Going to the GO Train: When you tap on an Oakville Transit bus, full fare is deducted. When you transfer to GO Transit, the co-fare discount is applied to your GO Transit fare.
Coming from a GO Train: When you tap on an Oakville Transit bus, the PRESTO system can tell that you just completed a GO Transit ride and will charge you $0.65 for the ride.
For more information and examples, visit the GO Transit website.
- Transfers and connections -
Will I still need a transfer?
With a PRESTO card you will no longer have to ask the driver for a transfer. PRESTO's smartcard technology will recognize your continuous travel each time you tap your card and will provide you with a two-hour window to make connections.
Oakville customers can use the PRESTO cards to transfer between Oakville, Burlington, and MiWay buses.
Which Oakville Transit buses are PRESTO equipped?
All of our buses are PRESTO ready! Enjoy the convenience.
Who is participating in PRESTO?
PRESTO is a partnership that involves the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, GO Transit, and nine municipal transit authorities:
- Federal Tax Credit -
Can I still apply for the Transit Tax Credit?
Yes. You must register your card and use it for at least 32 one-way trips in any calendar month on an individual transit system to be eligible for a federal tax credit. With a registered PRESTO card, you will now be able to print off a usage statement from the PRESTO website for tax purposes.
- Contact -
Who can I contact for more information?
For PRESTO customer service and more frequently asked questions:
1-8-PRESTO-123 (1-877-378-6123)
PRESTO website
For Oakville Transit questions:
905-815-2020 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday
Oakville Transit website
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