There are several costs you need to consider before you decide to buy and use a go card:
Start up costs
When you buy a go card, you'll need to add a starting balance to it and pay a refundable deposit.
The deposit acts as a safety net letting you finish your journey even if you have insufficient funds on the card (as long as your balance is positive at the start of your journey).
- Refundable deposit - $5
- Minimum starting balance - $5
- Card issue fee - $5 (currently waived)
If you bought your go card when the refundable deposit was $10 (before 2 December 2009), your $10 deposit will remain valid and can be refunded. More about refunds.
Pre-loaded go card
A pre-loaded go card is the same as all other go cards, except it comes pre-loaded with your refundable deposit and travel credit.
For example:
- $20 pre-loaded go card = $5 refundable deposit and $15 travel credit
- $30 pre-loaded go card = $5 refundable deposit and $25 travel credit
Travel costs
Each time you travel, your go card will deduct the correct fare from your go card balance.
The fare for each leg of your journey is calculated each time you touch on and off.
You can store up to $250 of travel credit on your go card.
Fixed fare
If you don't touch on or off correctly, you will be charged a fixed fare. A message will be displayed on the card reader the next time you use your go card. If you see this message don't touch on again, your touch on has been accepted.
If you think you've been charged a fixed fare in error, report an incorrect fare.
More about go card fixed fare.
Discounts
A go card is 30% cheaper than the cost of a single paper ticket.
Read more about the ways to save using a go card, including off-peak discounts, and how you can travel for free.
Discounts don't apply on Airtrain or if you're charged a fixed fare.
