OC Transpo is extending its fight against fare evasion through the end of the year after enjoying success during the month of September, telling the city’s transit commission earlier this week that inspectors have issued 904 fines and 15 warnings during the four-week blitz.

“With the results after the blitz, we made the decision to continue because we saw that it added a lot of value,” transit chief Renée Amilcar told commissioners. “We will be very aggressive on this, because people have to pay.”

The fines total $206 and are collected by the province, which remits part of it to OC Transpo. Amilcar said OC Transpo’s share of the money raised will be used to fund additional fare inspectors.

Twelve fare inspectors took part in the blitz from September 3 to 30, asking bus and train passengers for proof of payment.

Amilcar said they patrol the entire transit system, but pointed out that Hurdman, Blair and Rideau stations are hot spots for tax evasion.

OC Transpo fare inspectors wait for a train at Hurdman Station in August 2024. (CBC)

“Continuous” fare evasion

Advice. Riley Brockington said he has personally witnessed “continuous” fare evasion at Rideau Station and disputed the notion that passengers seek free rides out of economic necessity.

“This argument put forward by some that the poorest of the poor are resistant to tickets, that is not true. These are people who have just gone shopping, who have spent a significant amount of money, who are well-dressed, who avoid tickets because they can get tickets to get rid of them,” he said.

Brockington also expressed concern that the trend could seriously harm OC Transpo’s finances, saying Thursday on social media platform X that “we are losing millions of dollars to fare evasion.”

The ongoing fare compliance initiative began in January with just two inspectors, in response to concerns about an increase in fare swings. Critics argued that OC Transpo should focus on improving service rather than cracking down on fare evasion, and argued that the blitzes harmed the most vulnerable.

However, 10 additional tariff inspectors have been added to the list.

Renée Amilcar, general manager of Ottawa’s transit services, told the city’s transit commission that Hurdman, Blair and Rideau stations are hot spots for tax evasion. (Jean Delisle/CBC)

Advice. Marty Carr asked if it was possible to collect demographic data on who receives the fines, but OC Transpo safety chief Duane Duquette said it’s not allowed.

Duquette also stressed that there is no point “issuing a ticket to someone who we know is not going to receive it.” We are trying to use other means to resolve these problems.”

Amilcar said the transit commission will receive a detailed report on the future of fare enforcement once the current blitz ends at the end of the year.