If you ride the TTC chances are you've heard of the Metropass Discount Plan. Often advertised inside stations and vehicles, the MDP promises to deliver a monthly Metropass to your home for less than you pay when you have to remember to pick one up each month. If you find yourself buying a Metropass on a regular basis, it may be time to look into the MDP.
1. You Don't Need a Credit Card
The TTC withdraws the monthly fee directly from a chequing account on the first of every month, so if you're concerned about putting anything more on your credit card right now, no worries. Of course you'd better be sure you have enough in the bank each month to cover the automatic withdrawal, because there is an extra fee for any "transaction not honoured".Don't have a chequing account? The MDP can be connected to a savings account, but you'll have to take the form into your bank to have it completed.
2. You Can Pay in Advance
Don't think you have the discipline to make sure the money's in the bank every month? You can pre-pay for twelve months at a time. This is also handy if you want to give someone a year's worth of transit as a gift (parents of post-secondary students should check if the school takes advantage of the Volume Incentive Pass program before putting in an order, though).If you're paying in advance you have more options for how to pay including Mastercard or Visa, certified cheque, money order, debit or good old cash.
3. It Can't Be a Last Minute Decision
If you want to subscribe you need to do it by the fifth of the month before you want the subscription to start. (By January 5th to subscribe for February, for example).4. You Can Share Your Metropass
Okay, it's highly likely you did know this since the TTC pushes pass transferability as a major selling point. But really, this is worth repeating. Whether you're going out of town or want to split the cost with friends or family on a regular basis, as long as the person you want to share with is in the same fare category as you (adult or senior/student), you can hand over the pass any time you're not using it. But the 'not using it' part is key - the TTC does not look kindly on "pass backs" which is when you enter a station or vehicle and then try to hand your pass to someone else.5. You've Got Snail Mail!
Hey, in these days of e-everything don't underestimate the fun of having something in the mailbox each month that isn't a bill.6. Sometimes There's More Than Just a Pass in Your Envelope
Every once in awhile your monthly Metropass is delivered with a promotional offer just for MDP customers, such as discounts to a current stage show.7. But Parking is No Longer Free
For a long time MDP customers got free parking at TTC lots before 3pm on weekdays (parking is free for everyone after 3pm and on weekends). Sadly, this perk was discontinued as of April 1st 2009.
