Transfers

Transfers allow you to use multiple routes or vehicles during your trip. Transfers are valid from the time you start your trip or tap onto a fare reader, until they expire.

Depending on how you pay for your trip, you may have a paper transfer or an electronic transfer written into your card. All transfer types are accepted on all OC Transpo routes and STO, except debit card, credit card and mobile wallet, which are not accepted as transfers between Para Transpo and buses or the O-Train, or on STO.

If you need to transfer from OC Transpo to STO, or between Para Transpo and buses or the O-Train, consider using a Presto card or paying by cash.

Your transfer is your proof of purchase where it is required: on the O-Train, O-Train platform, articulated (accordion) buses and double deckers.

Transfer time

Transfers and single-ride tickets allow for unlimited travel on any route until they expire. The transfer windows are the same for all per-ride payments.

Time of payment Transfer expires:
Weekdays 2:45 am to 6:30 am 105 minutes later
6:30 am to 6 pm 90 minutes later
6 pm to 10:30 pm 105 minutes later
10:30 pm to 2:45 am until 4:30 am
Saturdays 2:45 am to 10 am 105 minutes later
10 am to 6 pm 90 minutes later
6 pm to 10:30 pm 105 minutes later
10:30 pm to 2:45 am until 4:30 am
Sundays 2:45 am to 10:30 pm 105 minutes later
10:30 pm to 2:45 am until 4:30 am

Paper transfers

If you pay for your trip on the bus with cash or a single-ride voucher, you will be issued a paper transfer. As you board the bus (by the front doors):

  • Drop exact change or one single-ride voucher in the fare box
  • Wait for your transfer to print. Place the slip in a safe place.
  • Make your way to your seat.
  • A single ride fare purchased at a ticket machine works the same way as a paper transfer.

Using your paper transfer or single-ride ticket from a ticket machine

On the bus At the fare gates
  • Scan the barcode at the fare reader
  • Scan the barcode on the fare-gate reader:

Location of barcode scanners at fare gates

Electronic transfers (paying with a Presto card, debit card, credit card or mobile wallet)

When you tap your Presto card, your transfer is added to your card. Tap onto any card reader to see how long you have left to transfer.

When you tap your debit card, credit card or mobile wallet, the first tap will charge an Adult fare. Any further taps within the transfer window will show up on your statement with a charge of $0.00. Card readers will not show the time left in the transfer window.

On the bus At the fare gates
  • Tap your card on the reader near the door.

Example of an onboard Presto card reader
  • Tap your card on the smartcard reader to open the gates

Location of Presto readers on fare gates

  • Walk through

Transfers in fare-paid zones

Bayview, Blair, Greenboro, Hurdman and Tunney’s Pasture stations have fare-paid zones (FPZs).

At these stations, buses and trains drop you off or pick you up inside the FPZ. You do not need to go through a fare gate.

Transfers from bus to train:

  • The train will drop you off in the FPZ
  • Your bus will pick you up inside the FPZ with all doors open for fast boarding

Transfers from train to train:

  • At Bayview Station, Line 1 and Line 2 trains load and unload within the FPZ
  • You can make your way to the other platform right away