Metrolinx’s Lake Ontario PRESTO Cards Were Claimed in One Afternoon
Riders claimed about 1,000 limited-edition Lake Ontario PRESTO cards at Toronto’s Union Station in one afternoon.
Metrolinx held the giveaway on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Staff handed out the cards near the UP Express area of the station.
According to CityNews, commuters claimed every card by Tuesday afternoon. Global News also reported that Metrolinx ran out of all 1,000 cards during the event.
The agency created the cards for a customer event. However, neither news report says that regular PRESTO stores or machines will sell the special design. Metrolinx has not announced another giveaway date either.
What the Lake Ontario PRESTO Cards Look Like
The limited-edition card has a small patch-style design. The image shows water and a rising sun.
In addition, one side carries the words “Lake Ontario, Now and Always.”
Metrolinx said the design celebrates Lake Ontario and the transit routes that run along its shore. The agency operates buses and trains from Oshawa to Niagara.
“We’re proud to operate bus and rail service along the shores of Lake Ontario, from Oshawa to Niagara,” Metrolinx said in a statement shared by CityNews and Global News.
The agency also called Lake Ontario an iconic Great Lake. It said the lake has carried its current name for generations.
Where Metrolinx Held the Giveaway
Metrolinx shared the cards during a customer event at Union Station. Here are the main details:
- Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
- Location: Union Station near the UP Express area
- Number of cards: About 1,000
- Type of event: Limited-edition customer giveaway
- Result: Commuters claimed every card that afternoon
The reports describe the event as a special giveaway. Therefore, riders should not expect to find this design at regular PRESTO sales locations.
Still, people can buy regular PRESTO cards through official customer service outlets. They can also add money to a card or get account help through PRESTO’s official services. However, those services do not currently list the Lake Ontario design for sale.
Why the Card Says “Now and Always”
The card arrived during a public dispute about the lake’s name.
U.S. President Donald Trump directed the U.S. government to use the name “Lake America.” However, Canadian leaders continued to call it Lake Ontario.
Prime Minister Mark Carney previously said that the lake would remain Lake Ontario “now and always,” according to Global News.
Later, Ontario Premier Doug Ford showed a large blue sign beside the lake. The sign carried similar words. Metrolinx then placed the message on its limited-edition card.
The agency said the event celebrated the pride that people in Ontario and across Canada feel for the Great Lake. Therefore, the message focused on the lake and its long-used name.
The event did not include a change to PRESTO fares or transit service. Instead, Metrolinx presented the cards as special keepsakes for riders.
Can Riders Still Get the Special Card?
The September 15 giveaway has ended. Commuters claimed all the available cards that afternoon.
So far, neither CityNews nor Global News has reported plans for another release. The reports also do not say that PRESTO will sell the design through its regular retail network.
As a result, anyone who wants the card should wait for an official update. Metrolinx or PRESTO may share new information through their websites or social media pages.
Riders should also check official information before travelling to Union Station or another sales location. Regular PRESTO cards remain available, but the Lake Ontario version was part of a limited event.
Metrolinx could decide to produce another batch. For now, though, the agency has not confirmed a second release.
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