Starting September 8, fines for individuals caught evading fares on GO Transit and the UP Express will see a significant increase. Metrolinx announced that the penalty for a first-time offence will jump to $200, a substantial rise compared to the current fines which stand at $35 for the initial violation, $50 for the second, and $100 for the third. Passengers committing four or more fare evasions will currently face a $200 fine along with a provincial offence notice.
Metrolinx disclosed that the revised regulations will see fines escalating by $100 for repeat offenders with each subsequent incident until the fifth offence. Beyond that point, a provincial offence notice will be issued with the fine determined by the chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice. Individuals accumulating six or more violations will be summoned to court and may face fines reaching up to $1,000 upon conviction, according to the transit agency.
The move to increase fines was justified by Metrolinx as a measure to safeguard the reliability and sustainability of the transit system for all passengers. Earlier this year, the province proposed these changes in response to fare evasion which costs Metrolinx approximately $21 million in lost revenue annually.
To avoid penalties, Metrolinx advised commuters to ensure they tap their cards at the beginning and end of each journey and to carry the correct type of fare and valid identification, such as a student or veteran card, for discounted fares during inspections.
For the Toronto Transit Commission, fare evasion fines can go as high as $425 or may result in a criminal charge, depending on the circumstances of the infringement.