The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is considering bringing back ticketing for fare evasion next month.
TTC staff will be making the recommendation at a TTC board meeting tomorrow.
Staff recommends resuming ticketing at the end of March after it was paused in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before ticketing was paused, fare inspectors issued an average of 1,800 Provincial Offence Notices per month between June 2019 and February 2020.
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They say the goal is to “positively impact customer behaviour, deter fare evasion and address concerns from fare-paying customers” by bringing back ticketing.
The TTC says that as ridership increases, fare evasion rates on streetcars remain at an estimated 13 per cent.
“With the planned return of ticketing in 2023, the fare evasion rate is targeted to return to its pre-COVID level which is the basis for the increased passenger revenue incorporated into the 2023 Operating Budget,” the agenda states.
Additionally, the TTC estimates in its 2023 budget that it will gain up to $6 million gross and $5.7 million net income thanks to ticketing for fare evasion and reducing the rate of fare evasion.
Passengers caught not paying their fare could face a $235 fine.
Staff say the public would be alerted at least three weeks in advance if the TTC decides to resume ticketing via social media, PA announcements, internal TTC TV messaging and with information pamphlets.
