Two No Frills stores in Ottawa are part of a pilot project by Metrolinx to expand access to Presto card services for transit users. Metrolinx, the Crown corporation that manages Presto for OC Transpo and the Toronto Transit Commission (TCC), says it has partnered with the Loblaw-owned discount supermarket chain to “give transit riders greater access to Presto services.” Customers who visit one of the selected No Frills locations—two in Ottawa and three in Toronto—will be able to buy new Presto cards or load existing ones, similar to services offered at ticket machines in Ottawa LRT stations. The two participating stores in Ottawa are Chris and Samia’s No Frills at 200 Grant Carman Dr. and Connor and Kennedy’s No Frills, at 2681 Alta Vista Dr. “Partnerships with companies like No Frills make it easier for customers to choose transit. Metrolinx will continue to explore new and innovative ways to expand access to these services with Loblaw,” Metrolinx said in a news release. The stores will also have a “limited edition” No Frills-branded Presto card for sale. Presto cards can carry fare balances or monthly passes for OC Transpo. In August, OC Transpo instituted a fare-capping system for Presto Card users, which means users will not pay more than the cost of an adult monthly pass—$135—in a single month no matter how many rides the user takes.
