TTC targeting fare evasion with new campaign and increased enforcement

May 22, 2019

Last week, the TTC launched a new fare evasion advertising campaign to educate people about the consequences of not paying a fare, specifically fines of up to $425. The campaign, which was directed by the TTC Board in response to the Toronto Auditor General's report on fare evasion, complements increased fare enforcement activities.

In February, the Auditor General reported on a months-long investigation into fare evasion on the TTC, finding that it cost the TTC more than $60 million in 2018 alone, impacting the TTC's ability to limit fare increases, deliver service and maintain the system.

In the two months since the report, fare inspectors have issued 4,549 tickets to people caught not paying their fare.

The ads will appear in TTC vehicles and stations, with accompanying videos being displayed on video screens in stations and on platforms.

"I hear from residents daily who are frustrated by the cost of fare evasion for the TTC," said TTC Chair Jaye Robinson. "Riders who choose not to pay their fares are impacting our ability to deliver transit service to the entire City."

Since the Auditor General's report was released, the TTC has implemented a number of actions, such as:

Hiring 11 new fare inspectors in March 2019, with an additional 15 fare inspectors and 21 transit enforcement officers expected to be in the system in July and September. Further recruitment for both fare inspectors and transit enforcement officers is in progress with targeted deployment later in 2019.
Leveraging and analyzing data to determine high-risk subway entrances, and bus and streetcar routes to support strategic deployment of fare enforcement staff.
Pausing the distribution of complimentary child and youth PRESTO cards to schools until additional measures are in place to prevent the misuse of child PRESTO cards.

Customers can pay their fare by cash, ticket, token, PRESTO card or PRESTO Tickets on all buses, streetcars and at every subway station.

The posters and videos can be found at ttc.ca.