TTC eyes changes to fare evasion penalties

Progressive fines, warning for first-timers part of proposal

- MAHDIS HABIBINIA

The TTC said it lost $140 million from fare evasion last year.

First-time fare evaders who get caught will be issued with a warning instead of a possible $425 fine, if a TTC fare evasion plan featuring dramatically reduced fines gets approved.

The move is part of a package of new compliance measures the transit agency wants to roll out to help combat fare evasion, which the TTC says cost it $140 million last year.

At this week's TTC meeting, the board asked staff to come back with a report in early 2025 on how to develop and implement a "progressive fine system." While the details haven't been sorted out yet on how to deal with non-compliant customers nor how to track offences, the idea is to level the fines with parking tickets, which are currently much cheaper.