TTC fines for offences to soar come Monday

Published: October 09, 2009 2:00 a.m.

Last modified: October 09, 2009 2:04 a.m.

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Sneaking a smoke on TTC property could cost you more starting Monday. Transit fines are more than doubling.

The fine for smoking will go from $95 to $195, plus a provincially set $35 surcharge. If you’re caught altering a pass or ticket you could pay $345, plus a $75 surcharge (up from $75). Fare evasion, such as jumping a turnstile, also carries a $195 penalty.

Although the TTC approved the changes in January, a grace period was introduced to get the word out and put up notices in stations, said TTC spokesman Brad Ross.

Last year, TTC fines totalled about $600,000, including 937 fines for smoking, he said. The money goes to the city, not the transit system.

Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the TTC.

While police and special constables use discretion about bylaw infractions such as lying on benches or putting feet up on a seat — a potential $195 fine — less discretion is applied to smoking.

“Smoking is a big concern for us,” Ross said. “You haven’t been allowed to smoke on the TTC for quite some time. People know that. Station announcements alone would tell you that. People smoking on the system will be fined.”

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