TTC: Apple Pay Support Coming by 2017, “Still Work to Be Done”

When Apple Pay launched on Wednesday, Apple’s website listed the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) under ‘Coming Soon’ to support the new mobile wallet. How soon? According to Metro News Toronto, the TTC says Apple Pay can be expected to work by 2017.

You'll soon be able to use Apple Pay on your TTC commute @TTCnotices @StreetcarTO https://t.co/xjKcpAxrvf

— iPhone in Canada (@iPhoneinCanada) November 17, 2015

TTC spokesman Chris Upfold explained the TTC is currently rolling out new Presto fare readers, which will accept contactless payments. In December, every streetcar will have Prestro readers, while token and pass purchases within subway stations will also start accepting contactless payments.

Attention iPhone users: Apple Pay is coming to the TTC — by 2017 https://t.co/JDVZ4hSGsA pic.twitter.com/1b4SQ2U7Ef

— Metro Toronto (@metrotoronto) November 19, 2015

Upfold said “There are an awful lot of people that just travel on streetcars and from subway stations, so this is the stage where we will start to see more people using Presto.” Presto readers, Upfold explains, are Apple Pay and other mobile payment technologies ready, but says there’s still work to be done before it can be enabled.

To start, single fares will only be supported for Presto, while support for passes and discounts will be added in January. As for mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Upfold stressed support may not launch until the Presto rollout completes by the end of 2017.

While the date is ‘by 2017’, Apple Pay could always arrive sooner. But until then, TTC users will have to wait to use Apple Pay.