The Presto card is a contactless smart card automated fare collection system used on participating public transit systems in the province of Ontario, Canada, specifically in Greater Toronto, Hamilton, and Ottawa. Presto card readers were implemented on a trial basis from 25 June 2007 to 30 September 2008. Full implementation began in November 2009 and it was rolled out across rapid transit stations, railway stations, bus stops and terminals, and transit vehicles on eleven different transit systems.
Presto card readers and self-serve vending machine at Oriole GO Station
Presto card readers and self-serve vending machine at Victoria Park station
Presto reader at Unionville GO Station
Presto card readers at Finch subway station. Legacy turnstiles like these were replaced with new paddle-door faregates at subway stations across the TTC subway system.
A contactless smart card is a contactless credential whose dimensions are credit card size. Its embedded integrated circuits can store data and communicate with a terminal via NFC. Commonplace uses include transit tickets, bank cards and passports.
Size comparison of chip compared to a Canadian penny
Novosibirsk (Russia). Transport fare collection terminal CFT
Smart card being used to pay for public transportation in the Helsinki area
The plastic inlay (right) that contains IC and antenna inside paper contactless smart card used in public transportation in Singapore (left)
