People using bus services in Aurora and across York Region must now ensure they have enough money on their transit cards to pay for the full transit fare before boarding. This requirement follows a system-wide update from York Region Transit and Metrolinx that began rolling out on March 2, 2026, and applies to all riders using registered PRESTO cards.
In the past, the tap-and-go system allowed registered cardholders to board a bus even if their balance was lower than the fare, provided it was above zero. This created a negative balance that the rider had to pay off during their next reload. Now, if a card does not have the full fare amount needed at the time of tapping, the card will be declined and the rider may not be allowed to board.
Metrolinx, the provincial agency that manages the PRESTO payment system, is implementing these changes as part of a larger technology update. The project is designed to increase system flexibility and improve the customer experience across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and Ottawa. Transit officials say the change will create a more consistent experience between physical and digital PRESTO cards.
Other regional services, such as GO Transit and the TTC, began implementing these same rules on March 2, 2026. To avoid any trouble while boarding, riders are encouraged to use the “Autoload” feature on the PRESTO app to ensure they always have sufficient funds for their trip.
