Ottawa – Mayor Jim Watson, Transit Commission Chair Stephen Blais, Garry Griffin, Shoppers Drug Mart District Manager, and Annalise Czerny, PRESTO’s Executive Vice-President, were at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Barrhaven today to announce that Presto card services will be rolling out to retailers across Ottawa.
Transit customers will be able to purchase monthly passes, load funds, check their balance, and set age-based discounts at 66 Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore locations in Ottawa. The new retail locations are currently being rolled out in a phased approach, with all stores expected to have Presto services available by the end of May. For an up-to-date listing of locations, visit octranspo.com or prestocard.ca.
The addition of 66 new outlets will make it easier for transit riders to make Presto transactions. They include 51 Shoppers Drug Mart, 12 Loblaws and three Real Canadian Superstore locations. When customers put funds on their Presto card at one of the retailer locations, the balance will be available immediately.
First-time Community Pass and EquiPass customers must have their discounts set at one of the four OC Transpo Customer Service Centres. Once set, these customers can then load a monthly pass or funds at any of the locations across Ottawa or online.
Transit customers will continue to be able to use the four OC Transpo Customer Service Centres, three ServiceOttawa Client Service Centres, and ticket machines at Carling, Carleton, Mooney’s Bay, and Greenboro stations to purchase their Presto products. Presto cardholders are also able to load funds and check their balance online at prestocard.ca.
Presto cards purchased at Shoppers, Loblaws and Superstore locations will have a new black design. However, whether cards are black or green, they will still function exactly the same way.
For more information, please visit octranspo.com or prestocard.ca.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).
Quotes
“The added convenience of an additional 66 new retailers in Ottawa will be a real benefit to our transit customers, who will be able to purchase OC Transpo fares when they are out for everyday errands. With store locations all across the city, people will be able to avoid the long lines at the end of each month just to load a pass onto their Presto card.”
Mayor Jim Watson, City of Ottawa
“Making transit more convenient is key to increasing ridership and managing congestion in our communities, and that is why we are expanding access to PRESTO and working with our municipal partners, like the City of Ottawa, to expand public transit for commuters and families across our province.”
Kathryn McGarry, Minister of Transportation
“We’re happy with the rollout of PRESTO to date and we know this service will be a huge time saver for our customers. Today’s announced expansion means more convenience for transit riders in the province.”
Ken Kirkwood, Senior Director, Category Management, Shoppers Drug Mart
“We’re so pleased to be offering Ottawa transit riders more convenient options for buying and loading their PRESTO cards through our partnership with Loblaw. This is a significant expansion of the existing PRESTO retail network in Ottawa and we know it will make it easier for Ottawa transit riders to choose and use PRESTO. This also helps us move toward our goal of making transit a more convenient and accessible choice for everyone.”
Phil Verster, President and CEO, Metrolinx
Quick facts
- Presto card transactions can be made online or at 77 locations across the city, including:
- 51 Shoppers Drug Marts
- 12 Loblaws
- Three Real Canadian Superstores
- Four OC Transpo Customer Service Centres
- Three ServiceOttawa Client Service Centres
- Four ticket machines at Carling, Carleton, Mooney’s Bay, and Greenboro stations
- Cost to purchase a Presto card is $6
- Using a Presto card instead of cash saves users .05 cents on every single-fare ride.
Website
OC Transpo
PRESTO