We're probably way off the thread topic but, whatever.
I don't know much about Presto but I get the sense that a lot of transit agencies wouldn't be lining up for it, at least in its initial stages. Like many other government database systems that have been developed in-house (I was involved in one of them), even if it is a dog, the government will use it to justify the development costs.
Some transit agencies have fairly basic service and operating infrastructure, and I imagine would need some convincing to buy into Presto as an alternative to tossing a Twonie at Bob the driver or some kind of local pass. What is the benefit to them? Even if they more high-tech, what does it offer over a debit/credit card reader on the bus? I imagine buying into Presto has costs in relation to both front-end and back-end hardware and software as well as some type of per-transaction cost.
It might have some benefits if the transit service is integrated with GO or another local service, but there would need to be actually integration, not just 'the GO bus stops in town once a day' type of thing to be of any benefit. Even at that, I imagine municipalities such as Kingston and Brockville might see more benefit in integrating with whatever system VIA uses.
ONTC doesn't use on their buses or the PBE. For non-commuter types of service that serve remote communities and flag stops that might have little to no connectivity, I doubt it would work. I doubt they will adopt it for the Northlander. Again, other that, what, two proposed station stops in the GTA, what's the benefit?
