As commuters return to their routines following summer vacations, a significant update has been announced for riders of GO Transit and UP Express, effective Tuesday. It is crucial for these passengers to remember to pay their fares, as enforcement officers will be issuing much higher fines for fare evasion.
Changes to the fine system, approved by the Metrolinx board of directors in early 2026, will introduce progressively larger penalties depending on the frequency of fare evasion. These alterations aim to deter non-compliance and ensure that public transit remains a viable option for everyone without burdening paying passengers.
The proposed increases for subsequent fare evasion fines are as follows:
- First offence: $200
- Second offence: Current fine is $50, plus a $25 late payment charge; proposed fine is $300
- Third offence: Current fine is $100, plus a $25 late payment charge; proposed fine is $400
- Fourth offence: Current penalty is a provincial offences notice with fines determined by the courts; proposed fine will be $500 with an additional late payment charge of $25
- Fifth offence: A provincial offences notice with a maximum fine determined by the courts, plus a new late payment charge of $25
- Sixth or more offences: A provincial summons with a fine that could reach up to $1,000, subject to court determination and approval from the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice.
Prior to this adjustment, riders caught without a valid ticket faced a minimal first-offence fine of only $35, along with a $25 late payment fee. This substantial increase in fines reflects Metrolinx's commitment to reducing fare evasion and enhancing revenue for public transit services.
The financial implications of these new penalty rates could be significant. Metrolinx staff have estimated that the increased fines could generate an additional $6.79 to $10.18 million, based on the assumption that 40 to 60 percent of imposed fines will be collected. In the prior 2025-2026 fiscal year, the revenue from fines ranged between $4.48 and $7.87 million.
In a recent report, Metrolinx staff noted that during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, there were a total of 1,557,243 inspections conducted on GO Transit and UP Express vehicles. Alarmingly, 5.02 percent of those inspections revealed individuals who failed to present proof of valid fare payment.
Officials have pointed out that every one percent reduction in fare evasion could potentially recover $4,276,598 in missed revenue. This vivid statistic underlines the impact that fare compliance can have on funding for public transit services.
With these changes coming into effect, it is essential for all riders to be aware of their fare obligations to avoid the steep increase in penalties that could significantly impact their finances. This revised fine structure clearly reflects Metrolinx's efforts to maintain the integrity of the transit system while also protecting the interests of compliant passengers.
