OC Transpo 'ramping up' fare inspections at O-Train stations and some bus routes

OC Transpo is reintroducing fare inspections following the COVID-19 pandemic, with officers checking whether riders have paid the fares at transit stations and on bus routes.

Ottawa transit riders may be asked to show proof of payment at O-Train stations and on select OC Transpo buses.

OC Transpo is reintroducing fare inspections following the COVID-19 pandemic, with officers checking whether riders have paid the fares at transit stations and on bus routes.

"We have been ramping up fare inspection efforts," Paul Treboutat, OC Transpo Chief Safety Officer, told the Transit Commission on Thursday.

"For the month of April and May, my special constable unit has been training and orienting recently hired transit fare enforcement officers on their duties with a particular focus on some of the hot spots for fare evasion in our LRT stations."

"This week, the fare enforcement officers have expanded to selected bus routes to inspect for fare compliance."

Statistics show OC Transpo fare enforcement officers issued 33 Provincial Offence Notices for failing to pay the transit fare in the month of June, and handed out 71 warnings. In May, officers issued two tickets and 58 warnings for not paying the fare.

The fine for fare evasion is $150.