Riding public transit in Toronto comes with a set of laws designed to keep everyone safe and ensure services run smoothly.
Some of rules are obvious: pay your fare, respect fellow passengers, and don’t light up a cigarette.
But others are far less well-known, and breaking them can come with surprisingly steep fines.
Did you know, for example, that you can’t bring an animal on the TTC during certain hours? Or that lingering too long at a GO Transit station could land you a ticket?
These are just a few of the quirkiest rules on Toronto’s major transit systems, the TTC and GO Transit.
Here’s what you need to know to avoid fines of up to $425.
You can’t loiter
On some public transport services in Toronto, you can receive a heavy fine for “loitering” on their property.
The TTC can issue fines of up to $235 for individuals who linger on their property.
Under TTC Bylaw No. 1, “no person, unless otherwise authorized, shall loiter in or on TTC property.”
The TTC defines loitering as:
- Spending time on TTC property without the specific intention of using the transit system.
- Staying in an area without a valid reason.
- Failing to board the next available TTC vehicle when it is possible to do so.
If you’re found to be loitering, you could receive a $195 ticket, which increases to $235 after the provincial surcharge is applied.
The TTC isn’t the only agency that comes down hard on the offence, as GO Transit also has fines in place.
According to Metrolinx’s Bylaw No. 2, a person is considered to be loitering if they:
- Waste time hanging around instead of using the transit system.
- Stroll, linger, or stay without a valid purpose.
- Have been there for 15 minutes or more.
Under the Ontario Courts of Justice, you can receive a fine of $100, which rises with additional charges.
Don’t put your feet on the seats
This is something that can be common, especially on trains, subways or streetcars. It is comfortable, but putting your feet on another seat can land you with hefty fines when using public transport in Toronto.
Both the TTC and GO Transit have bylaws against passengers putting their feet on seats, with varying fines.
According to TTC Bylaw No. 1, passengers aren’t allowed to put their feet on seats or place any objects or substances on them that could dirty, damage, or soil the seat.
This can result in a set fine of $195, which increases to $235.
GO Transit also has a similar rule, but they have a set fee of $75.
Also, not wearing shoes, boots or other footwear, results in fines on both services. Both the TTC and Go Transit issue the same penalties for this offence as they do for passengers putting their shoes on seats.
So, next time — keep your feet on the ground!
Don’t skateboard or rollerblade
If you like to skateboard or rollerblade in Toronto and use public transport, you’ll need to follow some rules to avoid fines.
You’re prohibited from using rollerblades and skateboards on TTC property and on their vehicles. This includes wearing inline skates.
While you may think it’s cool to zoom around on your feet, there’s a set fine of $195, which increases to $235 if you do it on the TTC.
It’s similar on GO Transit, too. If you’re found to be using them on GO trains and their property, you can be fined at least $85 under the Ontario Courts of Justice.
So, if you’re wearing rollerblades or skates, pack a pair of shoes in your bag if you intend to use public transport.
Restrictions on e-bikes and e-scooters
E-bikes and e-scooters aren’t permitted on TTC vehicles at certain times of the year due to safety concerns related to lithium-ion batteries, especially fire risks in winter conditions.
This ban is in place from November 15 to April 15 each year.
The TTC board voted to ban both following an incident in December 2023 that involved a battery explosion and fire on a subway train, among other incidents.
If you have an e-bike or e-scooter on a TTC service during these months, you’ll be asked to leave if you don’t comply.
Continued refusal could lead to a fine or arrest, under TTC Bylaw No. 1, Section 3:13(a) (failure to follow posted signs) or the Ontario’s Trespass to Property Act.
You may be fined $195, which increases to $235.
The TTC says customers with e-bikes or e-scooters can park at or near the entrances of any of Toronto’s subway stations, or use the City of Toronto’s bike parking stations.
E-scooters aren’t permitted on GO Transit, but you can bring an e-bike as long as you follow the transit system’s safety and storage rules.
They must meet standard UL or CE requirements, be a maximum of 55 kg on trains or 25 kg (with battery removed) on buses, and must not have any damage.
You can be fined up to $360 and refused entry for not following these regulations.
No, you can’t vape!
It’s pretty apparent that you’re not allowed to smoke cigarettes or cigars on public transport, but it should be just as obvious that you can’t vape either.
You’d sometimes see it in transit — passengers hunched over trying to take a pull from their vape while hoping nobody sees. Well, we can smell it!
The TTC Bylaw No. 1 states, “No person shall smoke in or on TTC property or carry a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, other tobacco product, or any other lighted smoking equipment or material while in or on TTC property.”
That includes vaping.
If you’re caught vaping on a TTC service, you can be forced to pay up to $235.
GO Transit is similar, but it has designated smoking areas where you can avoid being fined. The same goes for vaping.
If you vape in an undesignated area, you can be fined at least $150.
Just wait until you get off the bus, subway, streetcar or train. Your fellow passengers and your bank account will thank you for it.
You can’t stop a door from closing
We’ve all seen this — when the subway door is closing, and a passenger rushes towards it, forcing it to stay open or pulling it open to jump on.
While it may save you time, you’d be better off waiting for the next service to come because this move can actually land you with a fine.
Under TTC Bylaw No. 1, passengers must not hold or force a vehicle door open, or interfere with its closing, except in an emergency.
If you’re caught doing either, you could be hit with a $235 penalty.
GO Transit has similar regulations on their services.
Metrolinx’s Bylaw No. 2 prohibits passengers from tampering with or obstructing any window, door, equipment, or apparatus on a transit vehicle if doing so could delay or prevent the vehicle from departing or create a safety hazard, whether the vehicle is moving or stationary.
If you’re found interfering with their equipment, the Ontario Court of Justice can impose a minimum fine $150.
Next time, wait for the next service to come along.
Bringing your pet on board
Did you know that you’re not allowed to bring your pet on the TTC during peak hours? And if you’re caught doing so, you could be fined up to $425?
The TTC defines peak hours as 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, or any other times as determined by the transit agency.
During non-peak hours, an animal must either be on a leash and under your control or kept in a secure, enclosed container at all times. In both cases, it must not disturb or endanger other passengers.
However, guide dogs and service animals are always allowed, as long as they stay under the passenger’s control.
You could be fined $345, increasing to $425, for bringing an animal on a TTC during peak hours. Failure to control an animal also comes with a fine that can be as high as $235.
GO Transit has no rules around the times you’re allowed to bring an animal on board their services, but there are some rules in place.
Passengers can’t bring an animal on the transit system unless it is kept in a secure, enclosed container that doesn’t bother or inconvenience other passengers.
If you’re animal is unsecured on GO Transit, you can be fined at least $100.
There are some exceptions, though.
Animals are allowed to accompany passengers if they are a guide or service dog, or if it is specifically stated on a public GO forum, such as their website.
Next time you hop on the TTC or GO Transit, keep these rules in mind — ignoring them could cost you big.
