How the OC Transpo and STO connect
The OC Transpo and the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) networks work together to provide transit across the National Capital Region.
STO buses connect to Line 1 at Lyon, Parliament, and Rideau Stations. You can access either network with a pass, pay-per-ride fare, or valid card.
Pay with a pass
To pay with a pass, use one of the payment options accepted by both networks.
The OC Transpo and STO networks accept the following passes:
- OC Transpo Monthly Pass
- OC Transpo One-day DayPass
- OC Transpo multi-day pass (for 3, 5 or 7 days)
- STO Annual pass
- STO Passe-Temps (for 1, 3, or 7 days)
- U-Pass
Pass-specific rules
Depending on the pass you use, the following rules may apply:
- The STO Passe-Temps is a pass for one person on the OC Transpo, not a 2-for-1 DayPass.
- The OC Transpo one-day DayPass and multi-day pass are passes for one person on the STO, not 2-for-1 DayPasses.
You can pay with your pass at fare gates or buses:
At the fare gates
To pay at the fare gates, tap your pass against the fare gate reader.
On the bus
To pay on the bus, tap your pass against the bus card reader.
Pay with a pay-per-ride fare
To get a pay-per-ride fare, use the payment options accepted by the network you start your trip with.
If your return trip starts on the other network, you will need to use the payment options and fare rates listed by that network.
The OC Transpo network accepts the following payment options:
Presto card
You can pay with your Presto card at fare gates or buses:
At the fare gates
To pay at the fare gates, tap your Presto card against the fare gate reader.
On the bus
To pay on the bus, tap your Presto card against the bus card reader.
Single ride ticket
To pay with a single-ride ticket, buy your ticket from the Ticket Machine near the fare gates. You can then use your ticket at fare gates or buses:
At the fare gates
To enter a fare gate, scan your ticket at the gate barcode reader.
On the bus
To board a bus, show the driver your ticket as you board.
Cash payment
Cash payment varies depending on where you pay. Payments are charged at the OC Transpo fare rates .
At the fare gates
To pay at the fare gates, use the Ticket Machine, then follow the single ride ticket procedure.
On the bus
To pay on the bus, deposit exact change in the fare box, then wait for your transfer to print.
O-Payment (contactless pay)
You can use O-Payment on the fare gate and bus card readers. We accept Presto card, debit card, credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. O-Payments are only charged at the OC Transpo adult fare rates .
At the fare gates
To pay at the fare gates, tap your debit card, credit card, or mobile wallet against the fare gate reader.
On the bus
To pay on the bus, tap your debit card, credit card, or mobile wallet against the bus card reader.
The STO network accepts the following payment options:
Multi E-Wallet
To pay with the multi E-wallet, tap your card on the reader as you board, then wait for the green light. This lets you know your payment was accepted. After the green light, show the driver the photo side of your card.
Occasional Multi
To pay with the Occasional Multi, tap your card on the reader as you board, then wait for the green light. This lets you know your payment was accepted.
STO bus ticket
To pay with a bus ticket, drop one ticket in the fare box at the front of the bus near the driver. Tickets are sold in sheets of six.
Cash
To pay with cash, drop the exact change in the fare box at the front of the bus near the driver. Cash payments are charged at the STO fare rates.
Transferring between routes
You can use your valid pass, valid card, or pay-per-ride fare to transfer between routes on either transit network.
Once you start your trip, you have a limited amount of time to transfer routes. Transfer times vary depending on your pass, card, or fare.
If you are using a pay-per-ride fare and your transfer time runs out, you must pay for another fare.
View transfer times and additional guidesO-Payment can only be used on OC Transpo routes. If you need to transfer between OC Transpo and STO, use a Presto card, pass, or applicable pay-per-ride fare.
When transferring, use the same card to pay each time. Don’t switch between the physical card and its mobile wallet version.
Travelling from Ottawa to Gatineau
Transcript and text description
| Time | Transcript | Text Description |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | Transferring between OC Transpo and STO on your trip to work? All aboard! | Red text on white background with OC Transpo and STO logos. |
| 00:04 | When your trip begins on OC Transpo, | POV perspective of a customer approaching Blair Station. |
| 00:08 | it all starts with a tap and “Presto!” – you’re off! | Customer taps their card on the Blair fare gates card reader. |
| 00:11 | Line 1 trains come every five minutes during rush hour, | Line 1 train entering Blair station. |
| 00:15 | so your coffee’s still hot. | POV of customer on the train, holding a Happy Goat coffee cup. |
| 00:20 | Interior train shot, looking out the window, as it crosses the river. | |
| 00:21 | At Lyon Station, make your way upstairs to the bus stop. | Train enters Lyon station then POV of customer following signage to exit at street level. |
| 00:31 | POV of customer exiting station and walking to the bus stop on Lyon Street. | |
| 00:35 | A presto card can be used when transferring from OC Transpo to STO. | STO bus pulling up to stop. |
| 00:38 | Just tap your Presto card like you would on an OC Transpo bus. | STO bus opens its doors and customer boards, with a shot of a friendly operator. Customer’s hand can be seen tapping an OC Transpo Presto card on the bus fare reader. |
| 00:46 | Next stop: Gatineau! | Shot from inside of bus showing the customer’s view through the window as they cross the Portage Bridge towards Gatineau |
| 00:48 | No need to pay for parking, | Shot from inside the bus showing the customer’s view through the window as they come up to the Terrasses de la Chaudière bus stop. |
| 00:50 | OC Transpo and STO take you to the office and back, | POV of customer opening the back doors of the bus. |
| 00:55 | any day of the week! | Shot of the Terrasses de la Chaudière Government of Canada building sign. |
| 00:59 | To the office and back, any day of the week. Plan your trip today! | End screen with white background, red ellipse, text, OC Transpo and STO logos and websites. |
Travelling from Gatineau to Ottawa
Transcript and text description
| Time | Transcript | Text Description |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | Traveling from Gatineau to Ottawa using STO and OC Transpo? Let’s roll! | Red text on white background with OC Transpo and STO logos. |
| 00:04 | Our trip starts at la Gappe Rapibus station. | Shot of the de la Gappe Rapibus station sign with vehicles in the background then a STO bus pulling up to the bus stop. |
| 00:12 | Tap to pay and you’re good to go! | Bus doors open to reveal a friendly operator. Customer boards and taps an STO Multi card on the reader. |
| 00:18 | At your transfer point, use your Multi card to make your connection to OC Transpo, | Shot from inside of bus showing the customer’s view through the window as they approach Terrasses de la Chaudière station. |
| 00:25 | no extra charge! | Shot of the OC Transpo bus flag at Terrasses de la Chaudière station. |
| 00:27 | Just tap your Multi card like you would on an STO bus! | Customer boards an OC Transpo bus, showing a friendly bus operator, and tapping their STO Multi card on the reader. |
| 00:32 | And you’re on your way! | Shot from inside of bus showing the customer’s view through the window as the bus approaches the Chaudière Bridge. |
| 00:36 | Next stop: Ottawa! | Shot from inside of bus showing the customer’s view through the window as they cross the Chaudière Bridge towards Ottawa. |
| 00:40 | Shot from inside of bus showing the customer’s view through the window as they drive through a neighbourhood of Ottawa. | |
| 00:42 | Together, OC Transpo and STO can take you to the office and back, | Shot from inside of bus showing the customer’s view through the window as they drive up to a bus stop. |
| 00:46 | any day of the week! | Customer exits the bus at Booth Street Government Complex. |
| 00:50 | To the office and back, any day of the week. Plan your trip today! | End screen with white background, red ellipse, text, OC Transpo and STO logos and websites. |
Support Persons
Support persons ride free on the OC Transpo and STO networks with a valid card.
The following cards are valid across both networks:
- OC Transpo Support Person Card
- OC Transpo a-Card
- STO Attendant Card
You can use your valid card at fare gates or on the bus:
Paying at fare gates
To enter a fare gate, check which type of card you own:
- If you own an a-Card, tap or scan your own fare. Then, tap your a-Card to open the gate for your Support person
- If you own a STO Attendant Card, use the video chat option on the ticket machine.
Paying on the bus
To board a bus, show your card to the bus driver.