OC Transpo Launches Monthly Fare Capping for Presto in August

OC Transpo Launches Monthly Fare Capping for Presto Users Starting August 1

In a transformative step toward making public transit more affordable and accessible, OC Transpo will officially introduce monthly fare capping for all Presto card users starting August 1. This significant fare policy change ensures that no rider using a Presto card will pay more than $12 per day or $135 per calendar month, effectively mirroring the cost of a DayPass and the adult monthly pass.

This move marks a new era of flexibility and fairness in fare pricing across Ottawa’s transit network, particularly benefiting commuters whose travel patterns are irregular or unpredictable. By eliminating the need to pre-purchase a monthly pass to receive the financial benefits of frequent travel, the system becomes more inclusive for students, part-time workers, shift-based employees, seniors, and others who may not have the means or foresight to commit to a full pass upfront.

What is Fare Capping and How Does It Work?

Fare capping is a rider-friendly policy that automatically limits how much a person pays for transit within a specific time frame. In this case:

• The daily cap is set at $12, equivalent to the cost of a DayPass. Once a rider has spent that amount through individual Presto taps in a single day, any further trips on that day are free.

• The monthly cap is set at $135, equivalent to the adult monthly pass. If a rider accumulates $135 in fare payments over the course of a calendar month, all subsequent rides within that same month will be free.

Unlike traditional fare models where passengers must buy a monthly pass in advance to benefit from unlimited travel, fare capping allows passengers to "earn" unlimited travel by simply using the service consistently. It also eliminates the risk of overpaying—there’s no longer a need to guess whether buying a pass will be worth the cost.

Key Features of the Fare Capping System

1. Automatic Tracking
   No need to opt in. The system tracks fare usage in real time. Once a rider meets the cap threshold, the system stops charging for trips that exceed the daily or monthly limit.

2. Presto Card Required
   Fare capping only applies to riders using a registered or unregistered Presto card. Cash, tickets, or other payment methods are not eligible for capping.

3. Transfer Windows Still Apply
   Standard transfer rules remain in place. A tap on a bus or O-Train is valid for 90 minutes, and during that time, transfers are free.

4. Calendar-Based Monthly Capping
   The monthly fare cap resets at the beginning of each calendar month (e.g., from August 1 to August 31). If you reach $135 before the month ends, you ride the rest of the month for free.

5. No Upfront Commitment
   Unlike monthly passes, there’s no need to plan ahead. You’ll never overpay, and you only spend as much as you ride.

Daily Fare Capping Already in Place

While the new monthly cap is being rolled out in August, it’s worth noting that OC Transpo has already implemented daily fare capping. Riders currently benefit from the $12 daily cap if they use Presto or tap with a debit/credit card via O-Payment. The August change extends that benefit over a full month for Presto cardholders only.

This evolution means OC Transpo’s fare model will closely resemble those seen in other modern transit systems in cities like London, New York, and Toronto, where smart technology governs how much people are charged over time—rather than requiring upfront purchases or subscriptions.

Who Will Benefit the Most from Monthly Fare Capping?

Monthly fare capping represents a significant shift in how riders interact with OC Transpo’s fare structure. It introduces greater equity for users who previously faced barriers to accessing the best fare deals due to cost or travel unpredictability.

1. Low-Income Riders
   People living paycheck to paycheck often cannot afford the upfront cost of a monthly pass. Fare capping allows them to receive the same benefits without having to pay all at once.

2. Part-Time or Shift Workers
   Those who travel frequently but unpredictably—such as healthcare workers, retail staff, and construction employees—can now benefit from unlimited travel if they meet the cap, without buying a pass that may go unused some days.

3. Students and Youth
   Many students travel intensively during the school week but less frequently on weekends or during breaks. With capping, they only pay for what they use, while still being protected from overpaying.

4. Commuters Transitioning Back to Work
   As hybrid work becomes more common, some riders may only travel to the office a few times per week. Monthly capping supports their flexible routines while offering savings if their travel needs increase.

5. Tourists and Occasional Users
   While tourists may not hit the monthly cap, they’ll still benefit from the $12 daily cap if exploring the city, giving them predictable daily costs.

Why This Matters Now: A Post-Pandemic Transit Evolution

OC Transpo is one of many transit agencies across Canada attempting to modernize operations and win back riders in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Transit ridership in Ottawa remains below pre-pandemic levels, with agencies working hard to restore confidence through better service, upgraded infrastructure, and new customer-friendly policies.

Fare capping is one such policy that not only modernizes the fare system but also reflects the lived realities of a changing workforce and diverse rider base. Transit authorities now recognize that flexibility is key in a world where few commuters travel Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.

This move also coincides with other service changes OC Transpo is rolling out to improve the overall experience, including:

• Real-time tracking improvements

• Increased service on busy routes

• Expansion of O-Payment and contactless options

• Ongoing LRT maintenance and upgrades

• Public consultations on improving bus frequency and routing

How to Use Fare Capping: A Step-by-Step Guide

To take advantage of the new fare capping model:

1. Get a Presto Card
   You can purchase one online or at major OC Transpo stations and select retailers. Register your card to protect your balance in case it's lost.

2. Load Your Card with Funds
   Use the Presto app, OC Transpo customer service, or retail partners to load money. You don’t need to buy a pass.

3. Tap Every Time You Board
   Make sure you tap on buses and at O-Train stations. Transfers are still valid within 90 minutes, and you won’t be charged for them.

4. Track Your Progress
   You can check your fare history online or through the Presto app to see how close you are to reaching your cap.

5. Enjoy Automatic Savings
   Once you hit $12 in a day or $135 in a month, rides after that are free. No need to do anything extra.

How Does It Compare to Other Fare Options?

Fare capping now joins a growing list of ways to pay for transit in Ottawa:

• O-Payment (credit/debit tap): Offers $12 daily capping but no monthly capping

• Presto Monthly Pass: Still available for those who prefer the certainty of upfront purchase

• UPass: For eligible students, offering deep discounts

• Community Passes: Discounted fares for eligible groups, such as persons with disabilities

With fare capping, OC Transpo’s system now offers maximum fare flexibility, letting riders choose what works best without sacrificing savings or predictability.

Community Response and Rider Sentiment

Initial response to fare capping has been overwhelmingly positive. Community members, especially on social media platforms and transit advocacy groups, have lauded the change as a progressive and long-overdue step.

Some users have commented that this will allow them to travel without worrying if they’re making the “most cost-effective” decision each month. Others appreciate the financial flexibility during inflationary times, as the upfront cost of monthly passes had become a burden for many.

While some remain cautious about the execution and potential glitches during the launch, OC Transpo has assured riders that their fare systems are fully updated and capable of handling the cap calculations in real-time.

Future Considerations and Potential Expansions

While fare capping currently applies only to adult fare levels, transit advocates are pushing for OC Transpo to eventually extend this benefit to:

• Seniors

• Children and youth

• Low-income transit assistance program (EquiPass) users

Such expansions would ensure the full benefits of fare equity are distributed across Ottawa’s diverse population. There are also calls for OC Transpo to integrate fare capping across regional transit systems, especially for those commuting from neighboring cities like Gatineau or using multiple transit agencies in the NCR (National Capital Region).

Conclusion: A Milestone in OC Transpo's Modernization Journey

The introduction of monthly fare capping by OC Transpo marks a critical step in creating a more equitable, affordable, and rider-friendly transit system. It places financial control back into the hands of commuters, allowing them to ride with confidence that they’ll never pay more than the cost of a pass—even if they don’t purchase one upfront.

It also aligns Ottawa with modern fare practices used around the world, demonstrating that public transit can be both efficient and empathetic. As the August 1 launch approaches, riders are encouraged to prepare by ensuring their Presto cards are active and funded—and then just tap, ride, and enjoy the savings.

Whether you’re a daily commuter, a flexible worker, or someone just rediscovering transit, OC Transpo’s fare capping makes every trip fair, affordable, and accessible.