We have a major efficiency problem in Canada, especially anything that involves the government. And the reasons are not just because of higher labour costs, almost every aspect is problematic, and it's making everything cost multiple times what similar projects costs in places like Asia. Over time it really adds up and we gradually fall behind others, and unfortunately I don't see that changing.callernamet wrote: ↑ have no idea why in Canada projects expenses balloon so much? But that is another discussion and not here.
Presto is easy but the system always fails in buses. The operator doesn't even bother to check and people just travel free. seen many times. Only few operators tell go back and tap again.
Ontario’s Presto costs soar to $1.2 billion
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/0 ... llion.html
Toronto Public Library - free Presto cards
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- quantized light
- Sr. Member
- Feb 28, 2006
- 687 posts
- 651 upvotes
- MoonDoggy
- Deal Addict
- Nov 19, 2006
- 3849 posts
- 516 upvotes
- Toronto
- quantized light
- Sr. Member
- Feb 28, 2006
- 687 posts
- 651 upvotes
The problem with credit cards is that the fees are hidden, the cashback is a psychological trick. Credit cards have high processing fees upwards of 3%, so even if they give you a 1% cashback they are still ahead. Once it's widespread enough, those fees gets folded into all the prices, unfortunately we are already past that point.jerry70450 wrote: ↑ I don't know if the way the octopus card is used in hong kong was culturally acceptable here in the first place. In NA, we standardized using credit cards. Unless presto cards gives me an incentive such as cash back to use it, most people, including I, wouldn't.
You can see why transit companies opted for their own systems which would mean no fees, in exchange for an initial investment. And in places like China where they use Alipay or Wepay, they charge around 0.5%, which is much lower than the credit cards giants, which is why they could compete and still managed to grow so big.
Presto cards currently does have an advantage btw, it gives you the 2 hour window for unlimited get on and off, that makes it worth it.
- jerry70450
- Member
- Aug 13, 2018
- 421 posts
- 471 upvotes
That is true but like you said, we are beyond that point. China just isn't a fan of banks and credit in general and the culture there is to prefer spending your own money. Credit cards are already built into everything here, and even Presto can be loaded with credit cards. They still have to take the hit there.quantized light wrote: ↑ The problem with credit cards is that the fees are hidden, the cashback is a psychological trick. Credit cards have high processing fees upwards of 3%, so even if they give you a 1% cashback they are still ahead. Once it's widespread enough, those fees gets folded into all the prices, unfortunately we are already past that point.
You can see why transit companies opted for their own systems which would mean no fees, in exchange for an initial investment. And in places like China where they use Alipay or Wepay, they charge around 0.5%, which is much lower than the credit cards giants, which is why they could compete and still managed to grow so big.
Presto cards currently does have an advantage btw, it gives you the 2 hour window for unlimited get on and off, that makes it worth it.
- eugene188
- Deal Addict
- Sep 10, 2010
- 4024 posts
- 2374 upvotes
- Ottawa
Yea, the Presto card missed the boat on being widely usable. The market is already saturated with credit/debit cards that can tap. They would be fighting an uphill battle at this point. When my friend from the US came about 5 years ago to try and get a contract for their tap system that was kind of new in the US, she realized it wouldn't happen. The credit card tapping was already much more widespread than in the US.jerry70450 wrote: ↑ I don't know if the way the octopus card is used in hong kong was culturally acceptable here in the first place. In NA, we standardized using credit cards. Unless presto cards gives me an incentive such as cash back to use it, most people, including I, wouldn't.
- anthony9
- Deal Addict
- Dec 20, 2018
- 1013 posts
- 1562 upvotes
When I lived abroad years and years ago I had transit functionality added to all my credit and debit cards. Unfortunately that part of the world is hidden under a thick cloak of invisibility. Every day that goes by makes it clear that we should be looking at examples beyond a set of ten or so countries that people go on vacation to.eugene188 wrote: ↑ Yea, the Presto card missed the boat on being widely usable. The market is already saturated with credit/debit cards that can tap. They would be fighting an uphill battle at this point. When my friend from the US came about 5 years ago to try and get a contract for their tap system that was kind of new in the US, she realized it wouldn't happen. The credit card tapping was already much more widespread than in the US.
Outlaw ellipses and apostrophes.
Now, you've got ven more options whn paying for transit with PRESTO contactless payment on UP Express.
Now, you've got ven more options whn paying for transit with PRESTO contactless payment on UP Express.
- kyroshi
- Member
- Dec 18, 2014
- 371 posts
- 466 upvotes
- GTA
- beachlover
- Deal Addict
- Aug 12, 2006
- 4473 posts
- 3843 upvotes
- Ontario
But that's why buying the one fare pass is better. Sure costs 5 cents more. But if your trip takes 2 hours and 10 minutes, the Presto card will automatically ding you two fares $6.40. But with the one fare pass, never a problem convincing the booth operator or bus driver to overlook those extra minutes.Patrickpete wrote: ↑ This. The only reason I use the bus as much as I do now is because of the unlimited transfers both way. That is what makes the presto card worth it.
- mikka2017
- Deal Expert
- Jan 12, 2017
- 23019 posts
- 6892 upvotes
- Scarberia
Can u use the presto app on phone and tap it to get on bus?
*SIG: Ryzen R5 2600 cpu w/ ASrock B450M OCd to 4.0ghz@1.265v stock cooler 16gb ram win10 pro w/radeon rx460 rogers Gigabit<< xb1 gamertag: mikka2017 >>
- annara
- Jr. Member
- Oct 12, 2008
- 140 posts
- 88 upvotes
- Toronto
Northern District library has Presto cards. There is no value on the card.
- annara
- Jr. Member
- Oct 12, 2008
- 140 posts
- 88 upvotes
- Toronto
Russia has implemented Face Pay - Facial Recognition Payment System in Moscow subway. No need to remove face mask.
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-surveill ... 17539.html
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-surveill ... 17539.html
- luckylucass
- Member
- Sep 23, 2010
- 324 posts
- 994 upvotes
- Toronto
The Toronto Reference Library downtown had a ton of these behind the Info desk. When I asked for one, they actually asked me how many I wanted and gave me 2.
Thanks, OP.
Thanks, OP.
- jleong8474284177
- Newbie
- Nov 8, 2017
- 7 posts
- 12 upvotes
Picked 2 up today. Thanks OP!
I’ve been waiting forever to get complimentary presto cards. Out of principle I refused to pay for one especially since most other regions got theirs free. They really should offer these free if you load a minimum dollar amount.
Now I finally have one instead of sharing with the family.
I’ve been waiting forever to get complimentary presto cards. Out of principle I refused to pay for one especially since most other regions got theirs free. They really should offer these free if you load a minimum dollar amount.
Now I finally have one instead of sharing with the family.
- eugene188
- Deal Addict
- Sep 10, 2010
- 4024 posts
- 2374 upvotes
- Ottawa
for real, we Canadians/North Americans believe we are golden and look down on other countries. We would better off if we looked at other countries and just cherry picked the good things they are doing. We don't need to emulate, but just see what works.anthony9 wrote: ↑ When I lived abroad years and years ago I had transit functionality added to all my credit and debit cards. Unfortunately that part of the world is hidden under a thick cloak of invisibility. Every day that goes by makes it clear that we should be looking at examples beyond a set of ten or so countries that people go on vacation to.
- anthony9
- Deal Addict
- Dec 20, 2018
- 1013 posts
- 1562 upvotes
I think it's this looking down on some countries, but then this near-worship of Europe. If something is better than here in Europe, yes we can use that to improve, but if something even better exists outside of Europe, it's invisible as mentioned.
They have a fairly well developed closed payment system? Wow. There's an even better system of open payments elsewhere? No thanks, I've never been on vacation to that country, and cannot confirm it exists.
They have a fairly well developed closed payment system? Wow. There's an even better system of open payments elsewhere? No thanks, I've never been on vacation to that country, and cannot confirm it exists.
Outlaw ellipses and apostrophes.
Now, you've got ven more options whn paying for transit with PRESTO contactless payment on UP Express.
Now, you've got ven more options whn paying for transit with PRESTO contactless payment on UP Express.
- Ciel
- Deal Fanatic
- Oct 27, 2009
- 5755 posts
- 7939 upvotes
- Ontario
AT $6 per pass, that is some moneymaker for transit. Free is nice! Think in Hamilton, only seniors (80+)get the cards for free due to campaign over two years ago to remove that barrier to getting a pass.luckylucass wrote: ↑ The Toronto Reference Library downtown had a ton of these behind the Info desk. When I asked for one, they actually asked me how many I wanted and gave me 2.
Thanks, OP.
Have new cookbooks but am not cooking anything new yet.
- krist8
- Member
- Sep 30, 2015
- 449 posts
- 156 upvotes
- York, ON
- Androidmarshmellow
- Deal Addict
- Sep 12, 2015
- 2862 posts
- 1800 upvotes
Let's all move to Russiaannara wrote: ↑ Russia has implemented Face Pay - Facial Recognition Payment System in Moscow subway. No need to remove face mask.
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-surveill ... 17539.html
- EmpressLisaSu
- Deal Addict
- Oct 1, 2020
- 1334 posts
- 3422 upvotes
Is it the same presto cards my wife has? Every card she has, presto, credit card maxed.
- ibuddler
- Deal Addict
- Nov 3, 2009
- 1922 posts
- 1195 upvotes
- Calgary
luckylucass wrote: ↑The Toronto Reference Library downtown had a ton of these behind the Info desk. When I asked for one, they actually asked me how many I wanted and gave me 2.
Thanks, OP.
Hi, do you have to show them your ID or need to check the library card?jleong8474284177 wrote: ↑ Picked 2 up today. Thanks OP!
I’ve been waiting forever to get complimentary presto cards. Out of principle I refused to pay for one especially since most other regions got theirs free. They really should offer these free if you load a minimum dollar amount.
Now I finally have one instead of sharing with the family.
Thanks,
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