Inquiry from Transit Commissioner S. Wright-Gilbert:
I am asking staff to review and provide the Transit Commission with the operational and financial implications of extending the transfer validity period from the current 90 minutes to 120 minutes.
Response submitted at Transit Commission November 27 2019:
OC Transpo transfers are valid for 90 or 105 minutes except for late at night and early morning, when transfers can be valid for up to six hours. The longer transfer validity periods allow customers more time to complete a trip when there are fewer routes running and less frequent service. Below is a table showing the different transfer time periods currently provided.
| Time | Transfer is valid | |
| Weekdays | 2:45 am to 6:30 am | 105 minutes from time they are issued |
| 6:30 am to 6 pm | 90 minutes from time they are issued | |
| 6 pm to 10:30 pm | 105 minutes from time they are issued | |
| 10:30 pm to 2:45 am | Until 4:30 am | |
| Saturdays | 2:45 am to 10 am | 105 minutes from time they are issued |
| 10 am to 6 pm | 90 minutes from time they are issued | |
| 6 pm to 10:30 pm | 105 minutes from time they are issued | |
| 10:30 pm to 2:45 am | Until 4:30 am | |
| Sundays | 2:45 am to 10:30 pm | 105 minutes from time they are issued |
| 10:30 pm to 2:45 am | Until 4:30 am |
Staff have evaluated the financial and operational implications of extending the current 90-minute and 105-minute transfer validity periods to 120 minutes.
Staff conclude that, if the transfer validity periods were extended to 120 minutes, there would be a fare revenue loss of approximately $900,000 per year. It is also important to note increasing the free transfer period for Presto e-purse fares would also decrease the attractiveness of monthly passes. The increased attractiveness of making multiple trips within a longer transfer window would create the risk that some monthly passholders would switch to pay-per-ride to save money. An estimate of this possible element of foregone fare revenue has not been made at this time.
In terms of the operational implications, an extension of the transfer validity period would require software configuration changes that would need to be tested and implemented for the fare system devices. In addition, operating staff would need to be advised of and trained on new standard operating procedures for checking transfers. Staff would also need to prepare information for customers that would be published through all channels, printed and digital, to notify customers of the change.
