GO Transit Fare Evasion Fines Jump to $200 on September 8
Riding without valid proof of payment on GO Transit or UP Express gets much more expensive next week. Starting September 8, a first offence carries a $200 fine, up from $35.
Metrolinx is moving to an escalating structure. Second, third and fourth offences cost $300, $400 and $500. The current rules charge $50 for a second offence and $100 for a third, so the jumps are steep at every step: about 471 per cent on a first offence, 500 per cent on a second and 300 per cent on a third.
After that it moves into the courts. A fifth offence brings a Provincial Offence Notice with a fine set by the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice. A sixth or later offence brings a court summons, with fines of up to $1,000 on conviction. Under the current system, four or more offences is the point where a notice or summons kicks in.
Metrolinx says the higher penalties are meant to strengthen fare enforcement and protect the sustainability and reliability of the system.
Make sure you are covered
PRESTO, credit and debit users need to tap before boarding and tap off at the end of the trip. E-tickets and group passes have to be activated before boarding, and an e-ticket only becomes valid five minutes after it is activated.
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