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Breaking: Auditor General releases report concluding fare evasion rates much higher than TTC has previously stated, and cost the transit agency $61 million last year. ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/…
The TTC has said for years that its evasion rate is about 2 per cent, and cost about $20 million, despite internal reports that suggested it was much higher. When I obtained copies of one of those reports, the TTC said its methodology was flawed thestar.com/news/gta/trans…
When the estimated $3.4 million in lost revenue from faulty Presto machines is factored in, unpaid fares cost the public agency $64 million last year, the AG concluded.
She found even that under was "probably understated" because unreliable subway gates and the TTC's collection practices made it difficult to arrive at an accurate number.
The TTC losing that much money, while also sitting on reports that showed the problem was much worse than they publicly stated, is the kind of thing that makes near annual fare increases all the more unpalatable to riders.
TTC chair Jaye Robinson tells me the fare evasion rates just released provide "a clear counterpoint" to the board's decision to raise fares this year, but she has no plans to reverse that decision before the budget is approved next month.
From the AG report: "The design and functionality of subway fare gates make
illegal entry easier, particularly at automatic subway entrances without the presence of TTC staff." Those would be the brand new fare gates the TTC bought for more than $50M.
illegal entry easier, particularly at automatic subway entrances without the presence of TTC staff." Those would be the brand new fare gates the TTC bought for more than $50M.
More from the AG report on TTC fare evasion: "...it's
possible that ridership only appears to be declining, while fare evasion is worsening. *Reducing fare evasion
may alleviate the need to raise fares.*" (My emphasis).
possible that ridership only appears to be declining, while fare evasion is worsening. *Reducing fare evasion
may alleviate the need to raise fares.*" (My emphasis).
The AG report notes that the child Presto cards that allow kids 12 and under to ride free look "exactly the same" as regular cards. During the review, the AG found zero kids using the cards, but 78 older riders fraudulently using them.
AG recommends re-assessing the need to distribute Presto cards for kids, and to consider temporarily suspending them until the problems are sorted out.
The kids ride free program was introduced by Mayor Tory in 2015, and it's been popular. To my knowledge he had no input in the policy that required kids to carry Presto cards however.
Jeeez. The AG report includes a video that shows how easy it is to bypass TTC subway fare gates by various means, "even using a well-trained dog."
