In 2018, Visa Canada delivered contactless payments to Metro Vancouver’s public transportation system.
“Visa is focused on re-imagining the future of payments and investing in technology to bring future-forward, seamless payment experiences to consumers nationwide,” stated Brian Weiner, Vice President and Head of Product, Visa Canada, at the time.
“Tap to Pay technology is all about increasing customer convenience, especially for tourists and infrequent riders, who don’t have an electronic fare card—they can simply tap their credit card and be on their way,” agreed Translink CEO Kevin Desmond.
Four years later, Visa announced that tap-to-pay will officially arrive on GO Transit and has launched on airport bee-line UP Express. Visa collaborated with Metrolinx, a Crown agency of the Government of Ontario which manages and integrates road and public transport in the Greater Toronto Area.
“Transit is essential for so many and we believe in the importance of making the riding experience as seamless as possible,” said Weiner.
In Canada, electronic payments are a ubiquitous element in everyday life and Canadians have come to expect fast, simple, secure payments as part of their retail and leisure experiences, according to a statement from Visa. Research commissioned by the fintech behemoth found that 32% of public transit riders cite contactless payments as a top feature that would entice them to use public transit with 50% citing the increased convenience of contactless as the primary benefit.
“Now, Visa cardholders can enjoy the convenience of tap to pay on their commute, just as they already do with their morning cup of coffee,” Weiner said.
Transit riders can pay for their adult fare with their Visa contactless credit or payment-enabled device as part of Presto Contactless Payments.
The official launch follows a pilot program which ran earlier this year.
“Our customers have asked for more ways to pay, and we’re so excited to roll out the next stage with Presto contactless payment on UP Express,” Metrolinx President Phil Verster stated in March. “We are eager to build on this launch and deliver this to our customers around the region.”
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