GO Transit riders across Durham Region will face significantly higher penalties for travelling without valid proof of payment beginning Sept. 8, with the fine for a first offence increasing from $35 to $200.
The new GO Transit fare fines will apply throughout the network, including trips involving Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Durham College Oshawa GO stations.
Metrolinx announced the new graduated penalty structure Aug. 21, saying repeat fare-evasion offences will result in increasingly higher fines.
First GO fare-evasion fine jumps to $200
Starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, a passenger caught travelling without valid proof of payment will face a $200 penalty for a first offence.
That is up from the existing $35 first-offence penalty, representing an increase of approximately 471%.
A second offence will cost $300 instead of the current $50, while a third offence increases from $100 to $400.
Under the new system, a fourth offence carries a $500 fine.
For a fifth offence, the passenger will receive a Provincial Offence Notice with a set fine established by the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice.
A sixth or subsequent offence can result in a court summons and fines of up to $1,000 following conviction.
The existing graduated system, introduced in 2022, charges $35 for a first offence, $50 for a second and $100 for a third. Passengers with four or more offences currently receive a Provincial Offence Notice carrying a $200 set fine.
Why Metrolinx is raising the fines
Metrolinx says fare revenue helps fund transit operations and that increasing penalties is intended to discourage fare evasion while protecting the financial sustainability of the system.
GO Transit operates using a proof-of-payment system. Passengers must have a valid fare before boarding and can be asked to provide proof during inspections.
That makes the change particularly relevant to thousands of Durham residents who use the Lakeshore East corridor for daily trips toward Toronto and other parts of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Durham riders reminded to tap correctly
Metrolinx is also reminding customers that payment mistakes can lead to fare problems during inspections.
Passengers using PRESTO, a credit card or Interac debit card should tap before boarding and normally tap off at the end of their GO trip using the same card or device.
Riders transferring between GO Transit, UP Express and participating local transit systems should also use the same payment method throughout their journey.
Passengers with a default GO trip set on their PRESTO card need to override that setting when travelling somewhere other than their normal destination.
Students, seniors and veterans should also make sure the correct concession is attached to their PRESTO account and carry any identification required to prove eligibility.
E-tickets must be activated before boarding
Passengers using a GO or UP Express e-ticket or group pass should activate it before getting on the train or bus.
Metrolinx notes that an e-ticket does not become valid until five minutes after activation, making it important for riders to activate their ticket before boarding rather than waiting for a fare inspection.
GO riders should also allow enough time before departure to load money onto their PRESTO card and confirm that their payment has been accepted.
With the new GO Transit fare fines beginning Sept. 8, a missed or invalid fare could now cost a first-time offender $200, making it considerably more important for Durham commuters to verify their payment before beginning a trip.
