Despite countless delays and numerous technical glitches, OC Transpo has decided and is moving forward with the roll out its Presto contactless smart card fare payment system, according to The Ottawa Citizen.

Set to start on Jan. 18, OC Transpo will provide as many as 10,000 Presto transit cards at its sales and information centers at the Rideau Centre and the St. Laurent, as well as at Lincoln Fields, and Place d’Orleans Transitway stations.

The free tap-and-go cards will be provided until Feb. 1, with an anticipated full launch set to commence shortly thereafter. Presto was originally scheduled to roll out in July 2012, however, widespread technical glitches with the pilot testing program caused that launch to be delayed.

The city hopes to distribute 200,000 Presto cards to replace paper passes and eventually tickets.

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