OC Transpo says software update to fare readers temporarily affected Presto cards, U-Passes

An OC Transpo Presto card is seen in this file image. (CTV News Ottawa)

OC Transpo says a software update to card readers on OC Transpo buses temporarily disabled their ability to accept Presto card and U-Pass taps.

The issue began in late February, according to OC Transpo spokesperson Katrina Camposarcone-Stubbs.

“This update supports upcoming changes to the Presto system,” she said. “Metrolinx and our device vendor were actively engaged with OC Transpo to troubleshoot and resolve the issue and return all devices to full functionality as quickly as possible. A fix was identified and deployed to all 340 impacted devices last week.”

Every bus has a fare reader at the front, and most also have fare readers at their rear doors, meaning only a portion of all fare readers was affected.

On March 2, Metrolinx, the Crown agency that manages Presto cards, said that an upgrade was going out across the Presto system in the GTA, Hamilton, and Ottawa that will mean riders must have the full fare for a ride loaded on their cards for a tap to be accepted.

Previously, riders were allowed to board on a tap that gave them a negative balance on their card but were then required to pay that negative balance back before the card would work again.

Metrolinx says the change is intended to cut down on fraud and be consistent with digital cards, which cannot run a negative balance. (OC Transpo says Presto cards loaded into Apple or Google wallets do not work in Ottawa and customers should not register their cards with these apps.)

Metrolinx said riders can load funds through the Presto app or via autoload to ensure their balance is topped up whenever it falls below a set threshold.

It’s unclear how much fare revenue might have been missed as a result of the errors.

“OC Transpo is evaluating whether there was any significant impact on total fare revenue. Credit and debit continued to work during the software issues and monthly pass revenue is not dependent on taps,” Camposarcone-Stubbs said.

Riders with monthly passes pay for the month in advance and the U-Pass is included in students’ tuition.

“OC Transpo continues to closely monitor fare card reader performance, particularly during software upgrade periods. If a systemic technical issue is identified, a notification is sent to bus operators and fare inspectors,” she said.

“As always, when a fare card reader is unavailable, customers are permitted to board and may pay at the next operational device.”

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