This is a personal side project and in no way affiliated with Metrolinx or PRESTO Card. I designed a mobile app that I thought would help PRESTO customers do more on the go. To keep the project as realistic as possible, I was mindful of technical constraints of the existing platform.

Company background

PRESTO is the contact-less payment card used by public transportation systems across Southern Ontario. Users can manage their card in-person at transit terminals or online through a desktop web app. I researched the space and prototyped a mobile app to help travelers on-the-go.

PRESTO cards and their terminals can be found all cities in Southern Ontario. Source: blogTO

Hypothesis

When I realized the company was lacking a mobile app to pair with their transit cards, I hypothesized pain points that users might encounter.

Loading balance

There are currently three ways for users to load their card:

1. In-person at a transit terminal customer service desk
2. Online through the web app
3. Some GO buses drivers can load PRESTO cards if the passenger pays with cash

Each of these methods propose significant challenges for mobile users. Travelers only go to transit terminals when they board or get off of a bus or train and are usually pressed for time when they arrive or depart. Loading through the web app takes 24 hours for funds to be accessible and loading as you board the bus requires you to bring cash and holds up the line up of passengers behind you.

Long lines make it difficult for travelers that are pressed for time to load their cards. Source: Transit Toronto