GO Transit, UP Express hikes penalties for fare evasion by up to $1,000
· Toronto Sun
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Fines for riders caught skipping out on GO Transit and the Union Pearson Express fares are set to skyrocket next month.
Metrolinx announced the “escalating fines” for fare evasion, with first-timers getting hefty fee that only gets higher with each offence.
Higher and higher
As of Sept. 8, if you travel without valid proof of payment, be it a ticket or a scanned Presto card, the transit agency will fine first-time offenders $200, a significant increase from the current penalty of $35.
That represents a 471% hike.
And the fare evasions, the higher the fines, with those caught a second time getting hit with a $300 penalty, a third time busted is a $400 fine and a fourth time will cost $500.
Those caught a fifth time will receive a provincial offence notice, with a fine set by the Ontario Court of Justice, according to Metrolinx.
Sixth and subsequent offences will result in a court summons with fines up to $1,000 once convicted.
The current maximum penalty is $200.
Why the spike?
The provincial government proposed the increase in March , claiming that fare evaders — about 5% of riders — annually costs Metrolinx $21 million in lost revenue.
The province’s transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria shared a video, detailing how the government was cracking down on fare evaders.
“Transit riders deserve a safe, fast and reliable transit system,” he said in a video posted on social media. “Paying your fare helps make that possible.”
Starting September 8, fare evasion penalties will increase, with repeat offenders facing even more serious consequences across GO Transit and UP Express. ⁰⁰Pay your fare. Play your part in keeping transit fair for all riders. pic.twitter.com/FvJUQGxzRP
— Prabmeet Sarkaria (@PrabSarkaria) August 19, 2026
Previous changes by Metrolinx
The fines hike comes after Metrolinx introduced the One Fare system in in 2024, allowing riders to transfer to and from different municipal transit agencies within the GTHA without having to pay more.
The program has saved Ontarians more than $230 million so far, according to the province.