Riding The Yrt Bus: Payment Methods Explored

York Region Transit (YRT) offers several payment options for purchasing your fare. Customers can pay their YRT fare using a PRESTO card, the YRT Pay App, Transit App, credit or debit card, or with exact cash. The YRT Pay app is available for free download on iOS and Android mobile devices in the App Store or Google Play. With a PRESTO card, you won't have to worry about buying bus tickets or having the correct change to ride YRT.

Paying with the YRT Pay app

York Region Transit (YRT) offers several payment options to purchase your YRT fare. One of these options is the YRT Pay app, which is a mobile fare payment app that allows customers to purchase YRT fares anywhere, anytime, through their smartphones. The app is available for free download on iOS (version 10 and above) and Android (version 5.0 and above) mobile devices in the App Store or Google Play.

To use the YRT Pay app, first download the app on your mobile device. Then, create an account by signing in through Facebook or Google, or by signing up with your email address. Once you have an account, you can purchase your mobile ticket by tapping "Buy Tickets" and selecting the fare product you want to purchase. After selecting your fare product, tap "Purchase Tickets" to continue to checkout. If you haven't already added a payment card to your account, you can do so by tapping "Add a payment card". You also have the option to pay using Apple Pay or Google Pay. Once a card is added to your account, select it to make your purchase.

Your purchased ticket will appear in the "Use Tickets" screen and can be selected for activation. After purchasing your mobile ticket, you must activate it before you travel. On the "Use Tickets" screen, choose the ticket you wish to use and tap the plus (+) or minus (-) symbol beside the fare type to add or remove it from the activation queue. Then, tap "Activate Tickets" to activate the mobile ticket. Fare activation takes one full minute and must be completed before boarding the bus. The timer (located at the bottom of the ticket screen) will countdown from one minute. When the one-minute countdown is complete, the ticket will become active for two hours. Your mobile ticket is now your proof of payment to ride YRT.

When boarding a YRT, Mobility On-Request, or TTC route in York Region, show the activated mobile ticket to the driver when boarding. Tap the screen to show that the fare is valid. The driver may also ask you to tap the barcode. If you are on a TTC route in Toronto that is travelling northbound into York Region, show the activated mobile ticket to the driver when you exit north of Steeles Avenue. Note that it takes one minute to activate, so be sure to activate your fare at least a minute in advance. When travelling on Viva, show the activated mobile ticket to the Enforcement Officer upon request. The Officer may also ask to scan the barcode on your mobile ticket for inspection. Please ensure you keep your mobile phone with the activated ticket with you at all times during your trip as proof of payment. An Enforcement Officer may ask to see your activated ticket on your mobile device.

Paying with the Transit app

York Region Transit offers the Transit app as a convenient way to purchase YRT fares anytime, anywhere, via your smartphone. The app is free and available on both iOS and Android devices. Here is a step-by-step guide to using the Transit app for your YRT bus trips:

Downloading the App and Creating an Account:

Start by downloading the Transit app from the App Store or Google Play. Once installed, open the app and create an account. You can sign in using your Facebook or Google accounts, or you can sign up with your email address.

Purchasing Your Mobile Ticket:

To buy a ticket, tap the "Buy Tickets" option and select the fare product you want. Proceed to checkout by tapping "Purchase Tickets." You will then need to add a payment card or use Apple Pay/Google Pay. Once your payment information is added, select it to make your purchase. Your purchased ticket will appear in the "Use Tickets" screen, where you can select it for activation.

Activating Your Mobile Ticket:

Before you travel, you must activate your mobile ticket. On the "Use Tickets" screen, choose the ticket you plan to use. You can add or remove fare types using the plus (+) or minus (-) symbol and then tap "Activate Tickets." The activation process takes one full minute, and you must complete it before boarding the bus. A timer will countdown from one minute, and once complete, your ticket will be active for two hours.

Using Your Mobile Ticket on the Bus:

When boarding a YRT bus, show the activated mobile ticket to the driver. You may also need to tap the screen to verify that the fare is valid, and the driver may ask you to tap the barcode. If you are travelling on a Viva route, show the activated ticket to the Enforcement Officer, who may also request to scan the barcode. Keep your mobile phone with the activated ticket with you at all times during your trip as proof of payment.

Important Considerations:

Please note that the YRT Pay App is not included in the One Fare Program. To receive a free transfer between TTC (in Toronto) and YRT, you must use a PRESTO card, credit, or debit card payment on a PRESTO device. Additionally, remember that fare activation must be completed before boarding, and you may need to activate your ticket while waiting at the bus stop.

Paying with the PRESTO card

PRESTO is the smart card option for York Region Transit (YRT). With a PRESTO card, you don't need to worry about buying bus tickets or having the correct change to ride YRT. You can purchase a PRESTO card online at the PRESTO website, on the PRESTO app, or in person at a Shoppers Drug Mart location or YRT PRESTO fare agent. The card costs $4, with a minimum $0.05 e-purse load if purchased from a PRESTO fare agent, or a minimum $10 e-purse load if purchased from the PRESTO website.

Once you have your PRESTO card, you can load money onto it (known as an e-purse) online at the PRESTO website, on the PRESTO app, or in person at a Shoppers Drug Mart location or YRT PRESTO fare agent. You can also load your e-purse at GO Stations, although these locations have limited hours. Some GO Transit and UP Express ticket vending machines have PRESTO self-service options. Additionally, TTC subway stations have PRESTO self-service options where you can load money onto your card with cash, debit, or credit card.

Before travelling, you must set your fare type (Adult, Youth, Child, or Senior) on your PRESTO card. This can be done at any Shoppers Drug Mart location in York Region or YRT PRESTO fare agent. You must always travel with valid proof of age.

When you're ready to ride the YRT bus, simply tap your PRESTO card on a PRESTO device on the bus, and your fare will be automatically deducted from your e-purse. If you are travelling with a companion, you can pay for them with your PRESTO card, but only on Local (conventional) YRT routes. Be sure to tell the driver before tapping your card, and they will provide a paper transfer to your travelling companion.

PRESTO also offers a Mobile Wallet option, which allows you to tap your phone or smartwatch to pay for transit.

Paying with cash

York Region Transit (YRT) offers several payment options to purchase your fare. You can pay with cash, but YRT encourages customers to take advantage of discounted fares offered through a PRESTO card, YRT Pay App, and the Transit App.

If you are paying with cash, you must pay the exact fare. YRT offers multiple fare categories, including adult, youth, senior, and child. The YRT fare category definitions are as follows:

• Adult: Ages 20 to 64 years.
• Youth: Ages 13 to 19 years.
• Senior: Ages 65+ years.
• Children: Ages six to 12 years.
• Children five years and under ride free.

When paying with cash on a YRT, Brampton Transit, or TTC route in York Region, remember to ask for a transfer when you board the bus. This will allow you to travel on any YRT vehicle in any direction for two hours with just one fare. Your fare is valid for two hours from the time of issue or validation, and travel must be completed within this time frame.

If you are transferring to another YRT, Viva, Brampton Transit, or TTC route in York Region, you will need to show your single-ride ticket or e-transfer to the driver.

Paying with credit or debit card

York Region Transit (YRT) offers several payment options to purchase your YRT fare. You can pay with a credit or debit card by using the PRESTO contactless payment system. This is a smart card fare option for YRT, which means you won't need to worry about buying bus tickets or having the correct change.

To use PRESTO, simply tap your credit or debit card on a PRESTO device on the bus or at a vivastation or terminal. The full cash fare will be charged to your card. You can also use a mobile wallet on your smartphone or smartwatch to tap and pay.

The YRT Pay app is another convenient option for purchasing YRT fares. The app is available for free on iOS and Android devices and allows you to buy tickets anywhere, anytime. To use the app, simply download it from the App Store or Google Play, create an account, and add a payment card. You can also use Apple Pay or Google Pay. Once you've made your purchase, be sure to activate your mobile ticket before you board the bus.

It's important to note that your fare is valid for two hours from the time of issue or validation, and your travel must be completed within this two-hour window. Additionally, if you're transferring to another YRT route, you can use your credit or debit card by tapping it on the PRESTO device next to the driver, and your continuous travel and transfer will be automatically calculated.

Frequently asked questions