OC Transpo Fare Payments Valid on the STO
Quebec residents
If you are a Quebec resident, you must use the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) tickets or passes to use our service.
Ontario residents
If you are an Ontario resident you can use certain OC Transpo passes on the STO system under the following conditions.
PRESTO Cards users
If a problem arises when your card is validated as you board, you must pay your fare using another payment method and contact PRESTO.
If you are paying as you go with the PRESTO card (e-wallet), it is not possible to start your trip on an STO bus. However, you can use PRESTO to transfer to an STO bus from an OC Transpo bus during the validity period of the transfer.
OC Transpo fare payments accepted by the STO
The following OC Transpo fare payment methods are accepted without a supplement on the STO’s regular routes only:
- OC Transpo monthly pass (on PRESTO card)
- OC Transpo transfer
- OC Transpo U-PASS
- OC Transpo DayPass
- OC Transpo ECOPASS
- O-Train tickets
- CNIB/INCA card for attendants. The attendant can travel for free on the STO’s system.
IMPORTANT : If you board the bus before 9 a.m., you must get an STO – OC Transpo Rider smart card, please see the section on how to use this smart card.
Supplement
To travel on the STO’s express and interzone bus routes, the above-mentioned payment methods are also accepted, but require a supplement:
STO bus routes | Supplement required for riders with OC Transpo fare payments accepted by the STO |
|---|---|
Supplement of $0.50 | |
Supplement of 1 ticket or $3.25 |
OC Transpo fare payments not accepted by the STO
- OC Transpo bus ticket
- OC Transpo Family DayPass
- OC Transpo visitor card
- CNIB/INCA card for people with a visual impairment. These riders must pay the applicable STO fare.
STO – OC Transpo Rider smart card
STO - OC Transpo Smart Card
The STO-Ontario residency card was replaced with a smart card called the STO – OC Transpo Rider card. If you still have the old card, you should exchange it now. To find out where to get the new smart card, click here.
Ontario riders who wish to use a pass accepted on the STO system must get this new smart card. The card allows holders to travel on our system occasionally when they are boarding an STO bus before 9 a.m. at any locations other than:
- Perimeter of the downtown areas of the Hull sector and Ottawa
- Rivermead terminus
- Les Promenades terminus
The STO – OC Transpo Rider smart card is not required after 9 a.m.
Where to get the STO – OC Transpo Rider smart card
Go to one of the 3 STO service points or the issuing centre with a proof of residency in Ontario in the OC Transpo service area (rental agreement, tax bill, invoice, etc.).
For U-Pass holders, the address of residence must be in the OC Transpo service area in Ontario. See the frequently asked questions for the U-Pass for more details on using this pass.
The STO – OC Transpo Rider smart card must be renewed every year.
Fare
You can get the STO – OC Transpo Rider smart card for $8 (tax exempt).
How to use the STO – OC Transpo Rider smart card
The smart card must be passed in front of the reader on the bus when boarding. It must also be shown to the driver, along with the OC Transpo pass.
Improper use of OC Transpo passes on the STO system
To avoid fraudulent and improper use of OC Transpo passes accepted on the STO system, proof of residency in Ontario in the OC Transpo service area may be requested at any time. Improper use of these transit passes can result in payment of the applicable STO fare being required.
