TTC fare evasion appears far worse than reported
Re Fare evasion costs TTC $50M, report suggests, Dec. 14 The TTC brought in a consulting firm that says fare evasion is costing it more than $49 million per year. The TTC is standing by its lower figure of $20 million in lost revenue per year, saying the consulting firm didn’t have the support of the TTC’s internal auditors or data from the Transit Fare Inspection unit. Why, if this firm was hired to conduct such an investigation, would it not be given all of the pertinent information?
That aside, the notion of such an audit is nonsense: How could the TTC or any consulting firm come up with a down-toearth figure for this type of theft? If riders climb aboard streetcars via the back door and choose not to pay, and then get off at their destinations, how can their actions be quantified?
In the two or so years since all-door boarding and proof-of-payment was adopted, I’ve been asked just once to prove that I’ve paid for the 700-plus rides I’ve taken.
A joke in almost as great a proportion are the student/senior fares. I’ve been 65 for almost a year now. It says on the back of these tickets that the bearer must be able to prove they are 19 or under, or 65 plus, if asked. But who is to ask these questions? Not the variety stores or the TTC fare-takers where you buy them. And certainly not the TTC drivers — it is not their job anymore.
And once you get your proof-of-payment ticket, you’re scotfree. The fare inspectors, should they show up, have no way of knowing how or what you paid.
“In the two or so years since all-door boarding and proof-of-payment was adopted, I’ve been asked just once to prove that I’ve paid for the 700-plus rides I’ve taken. JACK DRURY TORONTO
The TTC is “optimistic” that everything will work better when Presto replaces this broken multi-million-dollar mess. It’ll be the same people who run the current operation, so I have my doubts. Jack Drury, Toronto
When I get on a streetcar through the rear doors, I notice that many, if not most, riders don’t pay. Maybe some have transfers. Those of us who do pay with Presto cards may wonder why we pay. The hordes who regard the TTC as a free public service are simply responding to the design flaws of a system that doesn’t require payment. Is this departing TTC CEO Andy Byford’s gift to the people of Toronto? Judy Steed, Toronto
I fantasize about the magical day in my life when I will no longer use the TTC daily. Each morning, I witness so many people who ride the system without paying.
I understand that attempts to make transit more efficient come with costs, but not even the lesser totals makes sense to all the riders paying their legal fares.
During the summer when the city is captivated by the Blue Jays, transit on the Spadina line is challenging and, on more than a few occasions, I have witnessed large groups enter cars who, unable to reach the payment terminals, rode for free, despite their best efforts to pay. Jerry C. Hom, Toronto