Toronto Commuter Transforms Presto Card into Magic Wand for Transit

A Toronto commuter has creatively transformed his Presto card into a functional magic wand, allowing him to tap onto public transit with a wave. The innovative idea came from Jaryd Diamond, a 22-year-old student at the University of Waterloo, who was inspired by the unique designs of transit passes in Taiwan. In particular, he noted the EasyCard, a rechargeable smart card available in various anime-themed designs.

Diamond explained his thought process to CTV News Toronto, stating, “It’s not the most visually interesting thing and so I came up with this idea of, well it’s quite a bad joke, which is what magicians say.” He detailed the straightforward process of creating his wand, which involved soaking the Presto card in 100 percent acetone nail polish remover to dissolve the plastic and carefully extract the RFID chip along with its antenna. He then reassembled these components on the back of a cheap magic wand.

When Diamond first tested his creation at St. Clair West Station, he felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. “I didn’t want anyone to see what I was doing—not because I was doing something wrong, but because it might raise some questions,” he recalled. Fortunately, the station was not busy, allowing him to perform his experiment without drawing much attention. To his delight, the wand successfully tapped onto the Presto machine, prompting him to exclaim, “Presto Chango.”

The wand’s functionality has already been put to the test during a ride on a TTC streetcar, where he encountered a fare inspector. Initially skeptical, the inspector was impressed when the wand worked, telling Diamond, “That’s awesome. I’m happy to see that someone’s having fun with this stuff.”

While Diamond’s creativity has garnered attention, Metrolinx, which oversees the Presto system, issued a warning. The agency advised against modifying Presto cards, stating that alterations such as punching holes or removing chips can damage the embedded technology and compromise card security, potentially rendering it unusable.

Despite these concerns, Diamond continues to use the digital version of his Presto card, regularly adding funds to his makeshift wand for transit use. He expressed a desire to see other commuters around the world creatively adapt their transit passes. Reflecting on his time in Vancouver, he mentioned the local Compass card, envisioning it transformed into a functioning compass to aid in navigation.

Ultimately, Diamond hopes his whimsical project will inspire others to enhance their transit experiences. He noted that the TTC often receives negative sentiments related to construction and delays, but believes small, creative changes can make commuting more enjoyable. “There are small things you can do that just make that experience, the things that you can actually control, more enjoyable,” he stated.