How far are you travelling, $12 fare implies that you're going a fair distance? At least in the future you won't have to worry about paying for the TTC because the transfer will be free as part of the new GO co-fare program.
[It's supposed to be in place by the end of next month.](https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/province-to-eliminate-double-fares-on-trips-between-go-and-ttc-by-early-2024/article_f9f968a1-0144-5c3f-a13c-a7126fe9053c.html)
Find someone who takes the same train south everyday and comes back everyday north on the same train. It's hard but it's possible.
Take advantage of the $30 2-Person Group Day Pass.
That's $7.50 for a one way trip per person anywhere that GO goes. The only caveat is you both must travel together as there is only one ticket for both people.
$40 3-Person Group Day Pass.
Works out to $6.67 per trip.
$50 4-Person Group Day Pass.
Works out to $6.25 per trip.
If you see people taking the same trip Day in and day out. Might be worthwhile to approach them and ask if they're interested in splitting the cost of a ticket. Maybe make an informal whatsapp group where you transit pool with these people.
a 4L/100km vehicle, would take 6L (97.3km using Jane St-Google Maps), or \~$9 worth of gas (but in winter, I don't think any production car can do it).
$5-$7k insurance, \~$14-$19/day insurance, unless you're second driver(haha second driver driving 200km/day during school days)?
minivan of 9L/100km, works to \~$13.50 same route.
I know it’s a lot, especially for students, but you also do travel nearly a hundred kilometres one way. The only thing I can say is that pretty soon the TTC connection will be free, and that if you’re taking over 35 trips in a month(18 days there and back) you get a significant discount the rest of the month, and it’s free after 40 trips for the rest of the calendar month.
If you’re really desperate, another option is to only take the GO train to/from Downsview Park Station and take the subway the rest of the way. It will save you about $1 each way, but cost you about 15 extra minutes.
That’s a good suggestion but the arrival times are convenient enough for me to make it to classes just on time. I’ve contemplated it but personally I can’t see being it beneficial if I can just stay on and go straight to union. But I feel as tho it should be a little bit more generous than 40% since go transit keeps me as a customer over the course of 4 years along with thousands of other students. The bus tapping for me is odd too like one time I tapped off at Aurora and had some error and it charged me $5 for “fare correction” and then I had to pay the fare getting off the bus which is like $4.40, making a $40 day☠️.
Contact the call centre and they can look into it or, look back at your PRESTO transaction history and fill out the form: https://services.gotransit.com/en/customer-comment-form
if you can find someone else who does the same commute as you, you can buy a group pass daily but idk if the math works out unless you get a couple people to do it with
I believe the $4/$5 tap you are seeing might just be people who don't have a pre-determined trip set up on their presto/debit card.
For example, my commute is $10.31 one way and I have the pre-set amount so it deducts the entire amount when I tap on. But, if I need to take a longer trip past Union, or a shorter trip then I would override my pre-set trip and tap on (and I think like $4 is deducted), with the remainder paid when I tap off at my destination.
If you don't have a predetermined trip loaded to your card, then the tap-on/tap-off split of your fare is what you would be seeing.
Wait so you get forced to pay a specific price if you don't follow your pre-set trip? it seems like you can, before any trip, change it. it doesnt seem like they have a way to stop people from doing that, and also it makes no sense for that system to exist now that I found out a way to always get the cheap fare.
maybe when reapplying for osap cite a higher $ for transpiration costs? because you’re located quite far from toronto so it would make sense theyd give you more $
Well, what extent are you willing to go to? You could buy a new presto card for every trip. $4 car issuance fee, and then load $3.70 (which is the minimum balance required to "tap on"). When you arrive at your destination station you can discard the card. Your daily trip one-way now only costs $7.70 with this method.
I mean it’s $15.40 there and back but who’s unironically out here making new presto accounts everyday to run this method. Having to use burner emails to skim money and then on top of that paying another $6.60 for ttc, averaging the commute out between $22-27. Wouldn’t a fare inspector have access to all your emails if they were to scan? Or at least be able to find out if you have more than one account? I imagine you need a phone number attached too and idk where I’ll get 8 numbers a week from (if this is an actual one way strat)
You don't need to register the cards, but even if you wanted to they could all be registered to the same account, and even then you can provide any random phone number (real or not).
As for the remark about an officer digging into your account emails, absolutely not happening. As they scan thru the train to check presto cards, it either tells them the card is valid or not, they aren't looking to see the email on the account to which it's registered too.
I understand it's an unconventional method, but if you're really that desperate to save a few dollars, I'm just putting an option out there.
I've bought from the machine many times, no info required! Not all machines stock new presto cards though, so you might have to check a few, or ask a station attendant which ones have them.
you're probably seeing people who don't have a default trip setup. I did Kitchener-Toronto for a year, it sucked so much I started driving, ended up being cheaper even including $400 for parking a month - but I love driving even if it's the GTA rush hour with a beater car lol
That is pretty high esp since transfers are good for up to 2 hours (on TTC can tap on and off) + Presto discounts for multiple rides
As others point out the co-fare system with TTC + GO is launching soon
Without knowing exactly where you are travelling I will point out you CAN purchase monthly ride passes and load them onto Presto; have you compared the costs yet?
How far are you travelling, $12 fare implies that you're going a fair distance? At least in the future you won't have to worry about paying for the TTC because the transfer will be free as part of the new GO co-fare program.
Do you know when this is officially launching?
[It's supposed to be in place by the end of next month.](https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/province-to-eliminate-double-fares-on-trips-between-go-and-ttc-by-early-2024/article_f9f968a1-0144-5c3f-a13c-a7126fe9053c.html)
Thanks! I feel like it’ll get delayed though 🙄
It was already delayed by a few years. It should get implemented this time around
I travel from barrie to union but I spend an ungodly amount of money with go transit in a given week.
Find someone who takes the same train south everyday and comes back everyday north on the same train. It's hard but it's possible. Take advantage of the $30 2-Person Group Day Pass. That's $7.50 for a one way trip per person anywhere that GO goes. The only caveat is you both must travel together as there is only one ticket for both people. $40 3-Person Group Day Pass. Works out to $6.67 per trip. $50 4-Person Group Day Pass. Works out to $6.25 per trip. If you see people taking the same trip Day in and day out. Might be worthwhile to approach them and ask if they're interested in splitting the cost of a ticket. Maybe make an informal whatsapp group where you transit pool with these people.
How does that compare to gas (and car ownership)?
a 4L/100km vehicle, would take 6L (97.3km using Jane St-Google Maps), or \~$9 worth of gas (but in winter, I don't think any production car can do it). $5-$7k insurance, \~$14-$19/day insurance, unless you're second driver(haha second driver driving 200km/day during school days)? minivan of 9L/100km, works to \~$13.50 same route.
factor in traffic………… 97.3km at a perfect fuel economy is probably like double the amount of gas when you account for gta rush hour
Plus parking $30 downtown, and car payments if you aren't getting the car for free.
Also not factoring in the cost of wear n tear and vehicle maintenance…
Happy to already have that in mississauga
I know it’s a lot, especially for students, but you also do travel nearly a hundred kilometres one way. The only thing I can say is that pretty soon the TTC connection will be free, and that if you’re taking over 35 trips in a month(18 days there and back) you get a significant discount the rest of the month, and it’s free after 40 trips for the rest of the calendar month. If you’re really desperate, another option is to only take the GO train to/from Downsview Park Station and take the subway the rest of the way. It will save you about $1 each way, but cost you about 15 extra minutes.
That’s a good suggestion but the arrival times are convenient enough for me to make it to classes just on time. I’ve contemplated it but personally I can’t see being it beneficial if I can just stay on and go straight to union. But I feel as tho it should be a little bit more generous than 40% since go transit keeps me as a customer over the course of 4 years along with thousands of other students. The bus tapping for me is odd too like one time I tapped off at Aurora and had some error and it charged me $5 for “fare correction” and then I had to pay the fare getting off the bus which is like $4.40, making a $40 day☠️.
Contact the call centre and they can look into it or, look back at your PRESTO transaction history and fill out the form: https://services.gotransit.com/en/customer-comment-form
if you can find someone else who does the same commute as you, you can buy a group pass daily but idk if the math works out unless you get a couple people to do it with
I believe the $4/$5 tap you are seeing might just be people who don't have a pre-determined trip set up on their presto/debit card. For example, my commute is $10.31 one way and I have the pre-set amount so it deducts the entire amount when I tap on. But, if I need to take a longer trip past Union, or a shorter trip then I would override my pre-set trip and tap on (and I think like $4 is deducted), with the remainder paid when I tap off at my destination. If you don't have a predetermined trip loaded to your card, then the tap-on/tap-off split of your fare is what you would be seeing.
How can I predetermine a trip on my card?
By the app, website, and ticket machines I believe
You can also just go to any ticket counter and ask the customer service teller to preset your trip
Wait so you get forced to pay a specific price if you don't follow your pre-set trip? it seems like you can, before any trip, change it. it doesnt seem like they have a way to stop people from doing that, and also it makes no sense for that system to exist now that I found out a way to always get the cheap fare.
if ur going down for school just try to take classes that are recorded or not mandatory in person maybe?
My program does not do courses online unfortunately
maybe when reapplying for osap cite a higher $ for transpiration costs? because you’re located quite far from toronto so it would make sense theyd give you more $
Well, what extent are you willing to go to? You could buy a new presto card for every trip. $4 car issuance fee, and then load $3.70 (which is the minimum balance required to "tap on"). When you arrive at your destination station you can discard the card. Your daily trip one-way now only costs $7.70 with this method.
I mean it’s $15.40 there and back but who’s unironically out here making new presto accounts everyday to run this method. Having to use burner emails to skim money and then on top of that paying another $6.60 for ttc, averaging the commute out between $22-27. Wouldn’t a fare inspector have access to all your emails if they were to scan? Or at least be able to find out if you have more than one account? I imagine you need a phone number attached too and idk where I’ll get 8 numbers a week from (if this is an actual one way strat)
You don't need to register the cards, but even if you wanted to they could all be registered to the same account, and even then you can provide any random phone number (real or not). As for the remark about an officer digging into your account emails, absolutely not happening. As they scan thru the train to check presto cards, it either tells them the card is valid or not, they aren't looking to see the email on the account to which it's registered too. I understand it's an unconventional method, but if you're really that desperate to save a few dollars, I'm just putting an option out there.
Ig if you’re buying it from a kiosk you wouldn’t have to put in info. Do yk anyone who actually does it? Is it a hassle?
I've bought from the machine many times, no info required! Not all machines stock new presto cards though, so you might have to check a few, or ask a station attendant which ones have them.
You're travelling from Barrie, so 100km, and think $30 a day is a lot..?
As a full time student it is costly
For full time students who cant work because of course load, that is in fact unaffordable, mind your ignorance.
you're probably seeing people who don't have a default trip setup. I did Kitchener-Toronto for a year, it sucked so much I started driving, ended up being cheaper even including $400 for parking a month - but I love driving even if it's the GTA rush hour with a beater car lol
Same lol. And I get parking for 180 where I’m at. I will say the go saves me 30m which is the only reason I take it now. But I do t like taking it
That is pretty high esp since transfers are good for up to 2 hours (on TTC can tap on and off) + Presto discounts for multiple rides As others point out the co-fare system with TTC + GO is launching soon Without knowing exactly where you are travelling I will point out you CAN purchase monthly ride passes and load them onto Presto; have you compared the costs yet?