What to know
- Metrolinx is increasing the minimum fare-evasion fine for GO Train, GO Bus and UP Express riders from $35 to $200, a $165 jump beginning next month.
- Toronto residents interviewed by Now Toronto called the increase “ridiculous,” “bullshit” and unaffordable, particularly amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and already expensive transit fares.
- Some riders raised concerns that people could be fined for accidentally forgetting to tap on or off, suggesting clearer tap locations and better transit infrastructure could help prevent unintentional violations.
- Metrolinx says unpaid fines can eventually be sent to a third-party collection agency after 75 days, with an additional $20 collection referral fee. Despite concerns about enforcement, one rider said people should ultimately pay their fares.
A new Metrolinx fine increase has some Toronto residents raising their eyebrows at the $165 jump.
Beginning next month, the transit organization will be changing fine costs to combat low revenue turnout.
The change will see GO Train, GO Bus, and UP Express riders who get caught not having paid their fare on first offence will be charged a minimum of $200, instead of the former $35.
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The increase has some Torontonians appalled, saying a jump like that is “ridiculous.”
“I don’t think I would want to pay it. I would try and fight it,” one Toronto resident told Now Toronto. She added that hearing the new number made her “pissed off.”
The same resident said the cost of the GO Train fare itself was already expensive aside from its fine.
“It’s already really expensive for people to take the GO Train. Most people can’t afford it all. Why make it more difficult?” she asked.
Another Torontonian agreed that the increase was unaffordable and unrealistic.
“That’s bullshit, 35 to 200 is a crazy jump,” he said. “I don’t know how people expect to afford that in today’s economy. I wouldn’t be able to. I make $200 every other paycheck.”
Another Toronto resident shared the sentiment, adding the fine increase creates future barriers during the city’s cost of living crisis.
“I think it’s frustrating because I think it just discourages people who already have barriers towards paying their fares,” she explained. “If they can’t pay the $9 or whatever it is to take GO Train, they probably definitely can’t pay $200.”
The resident added the increase is unnecessarily large.
“It just seems, especially for our first offense, like a big jump for sure.”
While no one admitted to skipping out on paying their fare to Now Toronto, many said they sometimes forget to tap on or off, an offense that could still land them a ticket, with little chance of a warning from fare inspectors.
Although anyone ticketed may be able to fight the amount after the fact, there’s no guarantee they could have the fine waived.
The same Toronto resident said that while she has never forgotten to tap her card, she’s seen others do it and pay the consequences.
“I never have, because I’m very scared of having to pay a fine at all… but I’ve seen it happen to people,” she said. “I’ve seen people who don’t take the GO Train very often, who aren’t familiar with how the system works.”
She added that sometimes forgetting to pay fare can be remedied with better transit infrastructure.
“Some stations, it’s not very intuitive. I’ve always felt like they should have places to tap on, on platforms, rather than before you go in,” the resident explained. “I think that would be more helpful to people who maybe forget when they’re trying to make their train, and they’re running up the stairs, especially at Union [Station], that could be helpful.”
One GO Train rider was confused about how the new fines would be enforced.
“You’re not going to be able to collect anything,” he said. “[The rider] is just going to get off on the next train and then get another one to not be harassed.”
The resident added that the tickets might be avoidable since the fare enforcement officers are law enforcement.
“You can make fines for whatever you want, but if people aren’t going to give you their IDs… they’re people who already don’t care.”
If a rider doesn’t pay for a ticket they’ve received, Metrolinx said the infraction could escalate to a court summons.
“After 75 days, a ‘Notices of Violation’ that remains unpaid beyond the payment due date and any other fees associated to it will be referred to a third-party collection agency,” the agency explained in a release. “Further, a $20 collection referral fee will be added to the account”
The same GO Train rider said ultimately the fines are not worth skipping the fare.
“Make sure you pay and have your card on hand,” he explained. “We have all this nice infrastructure, and if you want to live in a high-trust, decent society, it starts with the small things. You’ve got to pay for transit.”
