Metrolinx Piloting Apple Pay on Toronto's UP Express, Working to Expand to TTC

Metrolinx this week announced that commuters can now use contactless payment options like Apple Pay to pay for their fare on UP Express, a train that connects Downtown Toronto with Toronto Pearson International Airport.

presto machine apple pay
Prior to boarding the train, commuters simply need to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the PRESTO payment terminal to pay for their fare with a credit card loaded in the Wallet app — or tap a physical credit card. At the end of the trip, riders must "tap off" with the same credit card or mobile payment device they used to "tap on" with to ensure that they pay the correct fare for their trip on UP Express, as usual.

If a rider is approached by a fare inspector, they can present the same credit card or mobile wallet used to pay the fare as proof of payment.

The contactless payment option has been available for UP Express adult fare since March 11, as part of a pilot program. Student or other discounted fares still require using a PRESTO card for now. Metrolinx plans to expand contactless payments to more transit agencies "soon" across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including the TTC.

It's worth noting that it is still not possible to add the PRESTO card to the Wallet app, and this does not appear to be part of the current plans.


"We're currently working with the TTC to determine the potential timelines for this work," a Metrolinx spokesperson told Global News.

Later this year, Metrolinx also plans to add Interac Debit as a payment option for UP Express.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay

Popular Stories

hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 27 Will Reportedly Have Two Key Upgrades

Sunday November 23, 2025 8:48 am PST by
iOS 27 will reportedly have two major elements: quality improvements and new AI features. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is focused on improving "quality and underlying performance" over adding new features. Gurman said there is one exception to this rule, though, as he expects...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like a Huge Upgrade

Friday November 21, 2025 9:10 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of the new features and improvements expected to come to next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's next-generation iPhones are less than ten months away and we already have a good idea about what to expect based on corroborated leaks, rumors,...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Two Breakthrough Features

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:26 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include two standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red

Apple Black Friday Deals Available Now on AirPods, iPads, Accessories, and More

Friday November 21, 2025 8:48 am PST by
We're officially less than one week away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these...
Low Cost MacBook Feature A18 Pro

Report: Low-Cost iPhone, iPad, MacBook Coming Early 2026

Friday November 21, 2025 2:26 am PST by
Apple is planning to release new entry-level models across its iPhone, iPad, and Mac categories early next year, with an all-new affordable MacBook the most notable addition to the lineup. According to a new research report by Jeff Pu of GF Securities seen by MacRumors, Apple will launch the iPhone 17e – its second iteration of the "e" line – in the spring, likely along with a...

Top Rated Comments

murdoc2k Avatar
61 months ago
This is wonderful news. Toronto has now reached the 2010 milestone in tech. Only 11 more years to go.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jicon Avatar
61 months ago
I’d prefer Presto card Wallet integration, but this is a good step forward
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hyperchaotic Avatar
61 months ago
I send a message to Translink ('https://www.translink.ca/about-us/customer-service/contact-information') in Vancouver every year asking for express transit. They're used to me now, they have started responding with "oh hi, no we still haven't.... but will forward your mail again...".
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
43 months ago
Update: Open Payment is currently “targeted” for rollout by the end of this year. I’m not super confident in the TTC and Metrolinx’ ability to meet deadlines but at least we know it’s coming, sooner or later.

A nice surprise is that a virtual Presto card is also coming, likely via Apple's Transit Card on iOS and watchOS.

cc: @avonord

Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
61 months ago

what about transfers? does it track them as a Presto card does?
Yes, it tracks transfers. That’s done at the system level not at the terminal. If you tap the same card within 2 hours, it’s a $0.00 charge, no different than how a PRESTO card does it.


"Metrolinx Piloting Apple Pay"
No, they're piloting contactless payments ?
They’re also piloting Apple Pay. It’s not just a straightforward contactless payment. Apple Pay serves up a token, not a credit card number. It requires its own implementation, otherwise it would look like a different credit card each time it’s tapped, making it impossible to track transfers, fare verification and ride history. The article title is correct: Metrolinx is piloting Apple Pay.


Seems like a quite nice implementation.

I suppose it still needs authentication though? Express Transit doesn't need auth, it has Power Reserve for when the phone is dead and it works with concession cards (I don't know if Presto have those)- so in several ways is very useful.
Express Transit works with credit/debit cards.



Attachment Image
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
61 months ago

I can't understand why they are not even planning integration of Presto cards with the Wallet. What could be the reason? Are there technical limitations? If not, what is the problem?

I’d prefer Presto card Wallet integration, but this is a good step forward
I actually prefer this implementation. It sets the stage for eliminating the need for a PRESTO card at all. Using a credit card charges you the PRESTO price rather than the cash fare. That’s a pleasant surprise.

Once you’ve tapped a credit card at least once, you can then add it into your PRESTO account in the app so it’ll work exactly like a PRESTO card:



Once your card is added to the app, you can track your trips like any other PRESTO card with the added benefit that you don’t have to load it before use. It’ll charge as you go.

Not everyone has a credit card but once debit cards are added, it’ll cover the vast majority of people. There’ll still be one time use PRESTO tickets which can be purchased with cash and are given out in community centres and shelters for the less fortunate. Ultimately, we won’t need a transit card at all, removing much of the complexity that exists today.

Attachment Image
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)