Heads up, Toronto transit riders — the TTC is cracking down on fare evaders next week, and if you’re caught without proof of payment, you could be on the hook for a hefty fine.
Starting on Monday, fare inspections are expanding to the entire TTC bus network, meaning riders will now have to be ready to show proof-of-payment on buses too, not just streetcars and subways.
According to the TTC, fare evasion costs the system about $140 million per year, and it’s cracking down in an effort to reclaim some of that lost revenue.
This is just the most recent change in a series of new initiatives over the last few months aimed at tightening the screws on fare evaders, including the closure of “no-tap” fare gates and the deployment of plainclothes fare inspectors on streetcars. This latest move takes things a step further by targeting another major part of the transit system — buses.
If you’re hopping on a TTC bus next week, be prepared to show proof of payment (POP) at any time. If you tapped a PRESTO card, PRESTO Ticket or debit/credit card, your card itself is your POP, and inspectors can scan it to confirm your fare is valid for up to two hours.
If you paid with cash, a ticket or a token, you must grab a paper transfer receipt as your POP — even if you’re not transferring. You can get this from the bus driver, the fare machine on streetcars or the red transfers machine inside subway stations. Whatever you do, don’t toss it out until your trip is completely over — losing your POP could mean a pricey fine if you’re checked.
Inspections won’t just be happening on board; the TTC says fare inspectors will also be stationed at bus platforms at integrated stations, checking fares as riders transfer between buses and the subway.
“All fare inspectors will be uniformed and equipped with body-worn cameras to record customer interactions,” the TTC notes. A TTC spokesperson confirmed to Narcity that while plainclothes inspectors have been deployed, they’re currently being used on the streetcar network only — all other inspectors should be clearly visible in their neon yellow vests.
TTC CEO Greg Percy emphasized that the agency’s preference is for everyone to pay their fares rather than getting fined, but he also made it clear that the transit system is stepping up enforcement efforts. “We must let those who intentionally cheat the system know we’re serious,” he said in a statement on Friday.
So what happens if you do get caught without proof of payment? The TTC warns that fare evasion comes with a fine of up to $425 or even a criminal charge.
That means skipping a tap, sneaking through a gate or even paying a fare type you’re not eligible for could end up costing you way more than a single ride.
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