What to know
- TTC riders saved $1.8 million in September, the first month of the new monthly fare cap.
- Nearly 60,000 riders benefited from the program, taking about 595,000 free trips after reaching the 47-ride threshold.
- Riders must use the same payment method, such as a PRESTO card, debit card or credit card, throughout the month to ensure their trips count toward the cap.
- The cap kicks in automatically after 47 paid rides and resets on the first day of each month. Riders must continue tapping their payment method to receive free trips.
- Mayor Olivia Chow has promised to introduce a weekly 10-ride cap in 2027 if re-elected on Oct. 26, which would allow commuters to travel for free after 10 paid trips each week.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has unveiled the results of a newly-introduced monthly cap that allows riders to ride for free after 47 trips, revealing that customers saved almost $2 million in one month.
The fare capping came into effect on Sept. 1. Since then, the TTC said almost 60,000 riders have already benefited from the program, taking about 595,000 free trips after reaching the minimum 47 rides.
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With thousands of free rides, the agency said customers saved $1.8 million in September alone through the program.
“Monthly fare-capping is putting money back into our customers’ pockets and making transit more affordable for the people who rely on the TTC most,” TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali said in a statement.
“We are committed to making the TTC more affordable, convenient and reliable for our customers.”
How customers use the program
To benefit from the cap, commuters must use the same method of payment throughout the month when boarding the TTC, be that a PRESTO card, debit card, or credit card.
If they switch between methods of payment, it might take them more than 47 rides to reach the cap, as the system could count them as separate rides.
Customers do not need to sign up for the benefit, with the cap automatically kicking in after they reach 47 rides and resetting automatically on the first day of each month.
Riders should then keep tapping the same method of payment every time they board the TTC, even if the cap has already kicked in. They will then not be charged for trips after the 47 mark.
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As of Sept. 1, the Youth, Adult and Senior TTC Monthly Passes, as well as the Youth and Senior 12-Month Passes, are no longer available. However, the Adult 12-Month Pass and TTC Post-Secondary Monthly Pass remain available.
Chow promised 10-ride week cap if re-elected
The 47-ride cap was a part of incumbent mayor Olivia Chow’s 2026 budget aimed at increasing affordability and encouraging TTC ridership.
Alongside the cap, Chow’s administration also froze TTC fares at $3.50 for the third consecutive year.
Ahead of the municipal elections on Oct. 26, the incumbent mayor vowed to introduce a 10-ride cap that would allow riders to travel for free after reaching 10 paid TTC trips per week last month.
According to her, the program would work similarly to the 47-ride cap, automatically kicking in after the commuter reached 10 trips in a week.
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According to the candidate, the measure would especially benefit those who commute on the TTC to work.
“If you take the TTC to work five days a week that means your evening and weekend trips are free. You can take your kids to the library, get your groceries, get to a medical appointment for free or go shopping, see your friends and go to a Jays game for free,” she told reporters at the time.
Chow said the new cap would take effect sometime in 2027 if she were re-elected.
