GO Transit and UP Express fare evasion penalties set to increase tomorrow

A GO Train pauses for a stop at Cooksville Station on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paige Taylor White

With summer nearing its end, Metrolinx has announced steeper penalties for fare evasion on GO Transit and UP Express, with the new fines set to take effect Sept. 8.

In a decision approved by Metrolinx’s board of directors in August, fare evasion penalties will increase progressively, with repeat offenders facing higher fines.

Riders without proof of payment could face the following penalties:

• First offence: $200
• Second offence: $300
• Third offence: $400
• Fourth offence: $500
• Fifth offence: A Provincial Offence Notice with a set fine of $600, established by the chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice
• Sixth and subsequent offences: A court summons, with fines of up to $1,000 upon conviction

Under the current system, the penalties are:

• First offence: $35
• Second offence: $50
• Third offence: $100
• Fourth and subsequent offences: A provincial offences summons and a $200 fine

In a June report, GO Transit staff said the increased fines are expected to generate approximately $6.79 million to $10.18 million in additional revenue annually, based on the assumption that only 40 to 60 per cent of fines will be successfully collected.

“Graduated penalties communicate proportionate consequences, signalling that repeated non-compliance will be met with escalating sanctions (administrative fees to PONs to summons),” the report states.

“This clarity reduces ‘testing’ behaviour and encourages early compliance.”

With files from CP24 managing editor Chris Fox