Bytemark, a mobile commerce ticketing and integration provider for the mass transit industry, last week announced that the Toronto Transit Commission, the third largest transit agency in North America, has awarded it an exclusive contract to expand its vehicle and subway payment options with an integrated mobile application, TTCconnect, and system supporting mobile ticketing for riders throughout Toronto.

The deal accelerates Bytemark's ongoing global expansion following its recently announced contract award with FutureRailway in the United Kingdom, according to a press release. 

The Toronto Transit Commission is a public transportation agency that employs 14,000 personnel and operates the subway, streetcars, buses and paratransit services in Toronto, according to the announcement. The TTC, with 525 million riders in 2013, has the third largest ridership of any public transit system in North America, after the New York City Transit Authority and Mexico City Metro. Bytemark's mobile ticketing implementation will start the process of replacing the 2.5 million annual cash-based transit fares with mobile payments.

"The Toronto Transit Commission represents exactly the kind of progressive transit authority we value as a partner," Micah Bergdale, CEO of Bytemark, said in a statement. "TTC CEO Andy Byford is leading a revitalization in transit commerce by adapting to his riders' behavior and delivering the kind of high-quality transportation services they want. In addition to TTC, we are working with Metrolinx on a mobile ticketing solution for its rail service, Union Pearson Express. Our mission is to upgrade and modernize public transit services in the Toronto metro by year end."

The TTCconnect app will be available for free download on iOS and Android starting this month with additional functionality and features to be released throughout the year.