Torontonians still in possession of TTC tokens and paper tickets will have to use them by June 2025 before the legacy fares are phased out of the transit system.
The TTC board on Tuesday extended the deadline to use tokens, tickets and day passes from Dec. 31 to June 1, 2025.
Wheel-Trans riders will have longer to use their remaining tickets and tokens, until Dec. 31, 2025.
A motion to extend the deadline was put forward by TTC chair Jamaal Myers.
At the board meeting, Myers said it was “only fair” to give TTC riders the chance to use their tokens, tickets and passes because they were purchased legitimately.
The move to eliminate legacy fare from the TTC system comes as service leaders attempt to streamline the city’s transit system and services.
Myers said the new deadline will align with the possible opening dates for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT (Line 5) and the Finch West LRT (Line 6). The new subway lines will not accept tickets, tokens or passes once open to the public.
June 1 is the earliest possible opening date for both LRTs, though the timing is not guaranteed.
The TCC stopped selling tokens in 2019. Third-party sellers continued to offer tokens for purchase until March 2023.
Only a small portion of riders, about 1 per cent, use legacy fare, the TTC reported. The majority opt to pay using PRESTO or debit and credit payments.
Not everyone is happy with the decision to phase out legacy fare. The organization TTCriders launched a petition demanding the TTC offer single-use PRESTO tickets in exchange for tokens and tickets. The organization said low-income seniors will be disproportionately affected by the devaluing of legacy fare.
