METROLINX
“ It ’ s incredibly rewarding to enhance the commute of over five million people by delivering products and services that make it easier and more convenient for them to pay for transit ”
STEVE BRAR EXECUTIVE VP AND CTIO , METROLINX
Joining Metrolinx when its Payments Division was beginning to transform PRESTO , its fare payments system , to one that offers more modern and convenient payment options to meet customers ’ evolving needs .
“ Metrolinx is building an affordable , integrated , and sustainable transit network that connects communities to the things that matter most to them ,” he says . “ A core part of that mission is fare and service integration – and a key part of that is facilitating a seamless payment experience for customers who travel through the multiple transit systems across the region we serve .”
By introducing innovative payment options and streamlining regional fare integration , Metrolinx aims to reduce friction points and provide the quality experience that today ’ s transit users expect .
“ It ’ s incredibly rewarding to enhance the commute of over five million people by delivering products and services that make it easier and more convenient for them to pay for transit ,” he says . “ Witnessing the positive reactions of commuters to our new services , specifically when it comes to credit and debit payments , is extremely satisfying . Our efforts to increase convenience and reduce friction not only improve the experience for daily commuters but also uphold the trust stakeholders and commuters have in the Metrolinx brand .”
Leading the payments transformation at Metrolinx In his current role at Metrolinx , Steve has championed a large-scale modernisation of the region ’ s transit payments infrastructure . Under his direction , PRESTO has undergone a comprehensive overhaul to enable open-loop payments via major credit cards , debit cards , mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay , and even virtual fare cards within mobile wallet apps .
“ Established in 2006 , the PRESTO system was designed to use smart card technology to replace tickets , tokens , passes or cash that customers traditionally used to pay for transit in the region ,” he says . metrolinx . com 7