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Presto Loads Program

The Student Association of George Brown College (SAGBC) strives to aid students in all aspects of their life, while studying at George Brown College. As the cost of living rises in the country, we understand the struggle students are facing as they work to figure out ways to pay for necessities, in addition to the price of tuition and other academic-related costs.

Travelling to campus each week is a necessary burden which students must bear, and the costs of transit may make some students choose between classes, and other things in their life. To help offset the monthly costs of using transit, SAGBC is introducing a new program initiative to deliver PRESTO Loads to students who travel to classes during the Winter 2024 terms and Spring/Summer 2024 term.

In addition to helping students with the immediate cost of transit, the SAGBC hopes to learn more about the students’ transportation needs and struggles to thoroughly analyze the possible long-term options and solutions. This will be done via research gathered and feedback from students who participate in the program over the next two semesters.

Eligible students can receive a PRESTO Load valued at $25 with the ability to obtain Presto Loads twice over a term. Students enrolled during the Winter 2024 semester (February to April 2024) and Spring/Summer 2024 semester (May to August 2024), are eligible to get two PRESTO Loads over the course of each term (total $50 per semester).

The SAGBC  would like to recognize the following Board members for their efforts to implement the Presto Loads program for the students of George Brown College through their participation in the Ad-hoc Committee.

  1. Max Davidson, former Acting Director of Communications & Internal and Health Sciences Educational Centre Representative,
  2. Barichisu Osman Abugbila, Community Services and Early Childhood Educational Centre Representative.
  3. Muhammad Usman, Director of Education & Equity.

The program opened for registration on Feb. 5, 2024, where eligible students can request their Presto Loads: https://forms.office.com/r/XmSXdkFi1e.The second round of registration closed March. 8, and selected students will receive an email notifying them.

A new round of registration will open for students on March. 20, 2024 at 8 a.m.

To learn more about the registration opening dates check our social media accounts IG- @SAGBC and @gbcsafewalk.

Eligibility Requirements

  • If you are applying for the Winter 2024 Presto Loads, you must be a full-time student currently enrolled in the Winter 2024 academic semester (Jan 2024-April2024)
  • If you are applying for the Spring/summer 2024 Presto Loads, you must be a full-time student currently enrolled in the Spring/summer 2024 academic semester (May 2024-August 2024)
  • Must have a functional presto card.
  • Must be using public transportation to commute to school.
  • Students can receive a PRESTO voucher code worth $25 up to two times over one semester, with a maximum support of $50 per semester
  • Selection is made based on first-come-first-served
  • Students’ status will be subject to further verification via the GBC registrar’s office

Note: If you are selected to receive a PRESTO Load voucher, you DO NOT need to register again to receive your second voucher code. Your name will be added automatically to the recipient list in the following month.

To register for the SAGBC Presto Load, please press the button below to start your application. (Registration for the third round will open March. 20 at 8 a.m.)

Register Here from March. 20, 2024 at 8 a.m.

If you require assistance or have questions or concerns related to the SAGBC Presto Loads, please contact Transit@sagbc.ca or send us your feedback on the following link HERE

FAQs

What is PRESTO Loads?
What do I need to do to register for the PRESTO Load program?
Can I register more than once to get the $25 PRESTO Loads?
How are students selected to receive PRESTO Load assistance?
How will I know if I am selected for a voucher?
If I am selected for a voucher, do I need to register again?
I was selected for a voucher, how do I Redeem it?
If I have not received a voucher yet, do I have to register again?
If I don't have a presto card, can I still register?
How long will it take for funds to be disbursed?
Is there an expiry for the voucher code?
My voucher is not showing on my PRESTO card. What should I do?
Which transit systems can I use the funds on?
What should I do if I want to use my presto voucher payment towards my TTC monthly pass?
Is there a limit on how many trips I can make?
Can I transfer the funds to another card?
Can I apply even if I receive assistance from OSAP?
Can I withdraw the funds from my PRESTO card?
I have a question or require an accommodation
What is PRESTO Loads?

PRESTO Loads is a program that provides $25 per month for transit costs, with a maximum of $50 per semester. The PRESTO Load support is meant for current full-time students who need help with their transit costs.

What do I need to do to register for the PRESTO Load program?

Students who meet the eligibility criteria – including using transit regularly to commute to campus and owning a valid PRESTO card – can register at the link above. Students must complete the form in its entirety with accurate information when registering.

https://forms.office.com/r/XmSXdkFi1e

Can I register more than once to get the $25 PRESTO Loads?

If you registered and received a first voucher code already:
– you do not need to register a second time in the same semester — your second code will be automatically sent to you in the followng month
– your registration will expire at the end of the Winter 2024 semester, and you will be required to register again in the spring/summer 2024 semester.

If you have not received a voucher yet, you will need to register again every registration cycle until you are selected to receive your first voucher code.

The maximum total PRESTO Load per semester is $50.

How are students selected to receive PRESTO Load assistance?

Selection is made based on first-come, first-served. Priority will be given to those who register first. Students should be aware of registration dates by following @SAGBC on Instagram or the website StudentAssociation.ca.

How will I know if I am selected for a voucher?

You will receive an email with a voucher code that you will use to deposit the funds. Instructions on how to redeem the voucher code will be in the email. Check your junk mail or spam box folder to ensure that you don’t miss it.
Those who are not selected for a voucher will not receive an email and they will be required to re-register again until selected.

If I am selected for a voucher, do I need to register again?

No, if you received a voucher already, you do not need to register a second time in the same semester; however, you will need register again in the next semester.
The maximum total PRESTO Load per semester is $50.

I was selected for a voucher, how do I Redeem it?

If you have been selected to receive a PRESTO Loads voucher, you can redeem your $25 code one of two ways:

  • By visiting http://www.prestocard.ca/ and logging in with your PRESTO credentials – Digital PRESTO cards cannot be redeemed through the website.
  • By using the PRESTO Digital App

For more information, follow this guide: PRESTO Loads User Guide

If I have not received a voucher yet, do I have to register again?

Yes. If you have not received a voucher yet in the Winter semester, you will need to register again every registration cycle until you receive a voucher.
The maximum total PRESTO Load per semester is $50.

If I don't have a presto card, can I still register?

Students who wish to participate in the PRESTO Loads program MUST have a valid PRESTO card.

You can get a card:

How long will it take for funds to be disbursed?

Those selected to receive a voucher will be sent an email about 4-5 business days after the closing of the registration period. The voucher code will be active when you receive it. Directions on how to redeem your voucher to your card will be included in the email.

Is there an expiry for the voucher code?

Yes. If you do not redeem the voucher code onto your PRESTO Card by the expiry date that is in the email that you received, the funds will expire, and will not be able to be redeemed. We strongly encourage you to redeem the voucher code onto your PRESTO Card as soon as you receive.

After you redeem the voucher code and the funds are on your PRESTO Card, the funds will not have an expiry.

My voucher is not showing on my PRESTO card. What should I do?

After you redeem the voucher code, you need to wait 4-7 hours, and then tap on a PRESTO card machine. The funds will then be transferred into your account.

Which transit systems can I use the funds on?

Funds can be used on any transit system that accepts PRESTO cards as payment.
The following transit systems accept PRESTO:
– Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
– GO Transit
– UP Express
– MiWay (Mississauga Transit)
– Brampton Transit (includes Zum)
– York Region Transit (YRT) (includes VIVA)
– Durham Region Transit
– Oakville Transit
– Burlington Transit
– Hamilton Street Railway (HSR)

Transit systems that DO NOT accept PRESTO:
– Barrie Transit
– Milton Transit
– Guelph Transit

What should I do if I want to use my presto voucher payment towards my TTC monthly pass?
  1. The student will have to go to the PRESTOcard.ca website and redeem the voucher code on their PRESTO card (this means loading the $25 onto the PRESTO card first). Please follow the instructions on the user guide on how to reload your presto voucher
  2. Only after the balance shows up on the PRESTO card can they approach the Davisville TTC station and use that towards a monthly pass.

TTC can convert only the dollar value (money) on a PRESTO card into any kind of pass. So, the $25 voucher needs to show on the student’s PRESTO card before it can be used towards purchasing a monthly pass.

One note to consider: Once a pass is already purchased nothing can be done. And yes, if the student is purchasing a new pass then the $25 (already loaded on the card) can be used towards the purchase.

What would NOT work: Is if the student is handing over the voucher code to the representative at the TTC station.

What Works: The student first needs to add the voucher code to their PRESTO card and then convert it to a monthly pass.

Is there a limit on how many trips I can make?

PRESTO Loads disburses funds only. We do not limit the number of trips, or how much of the funds you spend. For example, a $25 voucher could cover about 7 trips on the TTC, but for GO Transit, the cost might be higher, which would reduce the number of trips the funds could cover.

Can I transfer the funds to another card?

No, if you have already loaded the voucher code onto your own PRESTO Card, you cannot transfer the funds to another card, such as to a friend or family member’s card. If you share a PRESTO Card with a family member or friend, you could redeem the voucher code onto that card.
The only exception would be if you lost your card and it was registered with PRESTO — you could transfer the funds from the lost card to a new card that is on the same account. The lost card would need to be cancelled, though, and it would no longer work.

Can I apply even if I receive assistance from OSAP?

Yes. Receipt of OSAP does not affect eligibility.

Can I withdraw the funds from my PRESTO card?

No, there is no mechanism to withdraw the funds as cash.

I have a question or require an accommodation

If you have a question related to the PRESTO Loads program, or have an accessibility need, and require help while completing this registration form, please contact: transit@sagbc.ca or send us your feedback on the link HERE 

FAQ

PRESTO Loads – Winter 24

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