Commuters in the Greater Toronto Area will soon be able to navigate eight separate municipal transit systems as well as the regional GO Transit system using a single fare card.
    
Transit officials say the regional Presto card will cover the Toronto Transit Commission by 2016, adding to a network that already includes transit systems from Hamilton to Durham Region.
    
Ontario Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli calls the move "a tremendous technological step forward'' for Canada's busiest transit hub.
    
He joined TTC brass at a news conference this morning where they also announced the signing of a light rail transit deal between the commission and Metrolinx, the province's transit agency.
    
The master agreement will be in effect for the next 10 years regardless of who leads the provincial or municipal governments.
    
The 24 kilometres of LRT will roll out in 2020 on Sheppard East, Eglinton, and Finch West, while the Scarborough rapid transit line is replaced.

(The Canadian Press)