In the wake of the news that the TTC plans to go token and ticket free by 2017, our beloved transit system has also just announced they'll offer riders the ability to purchase fares using soon-to-be rolled out smartphone apps.

Branded TTCconnect, the new ticketing option will be available early this month and offer Single Day and Group passes. Riders will be required to create an account in the app and use a credit card to complete the purchase.

The timing of the launch is, not coincidentally, tied to the Pan Am Games as Toronto is expecting an influx of visitors in need of public transit. While transit will be free to those with a Pan Am Games ticket, there's still likely to be some increased demand for day and group passes during the summer months.

Will you be using TTCconnect? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Jason Cook in the blogTO Flickr pool.