TTC riders using bags, 'well-trained dog' to avoid fares, city auditor tells committee

Fromhopping gates to using a "well-trained" dog, TTC riders are turning tonumber of methods toevade paying their fare, Toronto's auditor general says.

Auditor GeneralBeverlyRomeo-Beehlershowcased the violations, which have led to an estimated$61 million worth of lost fares in 2018, at a meeting of the TTC's audit and risk management committee on Tuesday.

She saidthere is a "big opportunity" to better prevent fare skipping.

Romeo-Beehler's office produced a video showing people squeezing through TTC gates, tailgating other customers, using a bag, hopping the fence and even using a dogto slip through the gate and open it from the other side.

You can watch it below:

The TTC is now being asked to consider a number of measures to deal with the rampant fare evasion.

That includes taking another look at TTCcrashgates, whichare sometimes left unattended and open"allowing people to walk right through without paying," according to the auditor's video.

The TTCcouldclose unattended crash gates, Romeo-Beehlersaid, and makesuregates are working properly.

"That is a small amount of effort to make sure that you're protecting the organization," she said.

Meanwhile,Romeo-Beehleralso wants improvements to the Presto system, which is managed by the provincial transit agency, Metrolinx.Malfunctioning Prestoequipment cost the TTC an additional $3.4 million last year, her report said.

Adults using child Presto cards, audit finds

People also use child Presto cards to avoid paying adultfare, Romeo-Beehlerfound.

Child Presto cards are meant to let kids age12 and under ride for free,butthey look the same as adult cards, the auditor notes.

Theoffice didn't see any children using childcards during a six-week observation period but fare inspectors noted78 people fraudulently using them, the report says.

Romeo-Beehlertold the committee thatchildPresto cards could look distinctive fromadult cards in the future. The cardscould also make different lights and sounds to ensureoperators know who is using whichcard, the report says.

Presto cards are Metrolinx property

At the meeting, Romeo-Beehlersaid the TTCcan't confiscate fraudulently-used Presto cards because Metrolinx considers them its property.

"That's ridiculous," commentedTTC board vice chair AlanHeisey.

The auditorgeneralalso said there is no database on how many child cards are given out to each person, and that people can get several child cards from different Shoppers Drug Marts.

But the TTCcan't stop Shoppers Drug Mart from selling Prestocards because of a deal with Metrolinx, she said.

Her reportrecommends the TTC workwith Metrolinx to look atsuspendingchild Presto cards temporarily until appropriate controls can be put in place.

It also suggested reassessing whether"there is a critical need" to issue child Presto cards, balancing good customer service withthe risk of fraud.

TTC responsible for fare enforcement,Metrolinxsays

In a statement,Metrolinxsaid enforcement around proper card usage lies with transit agencies.

Metrolinxis responsible for enforcing fareson its own systemsGO and UP Express andother transit agencies are responsible for their own enforcement and policies,said spokesperson Amanda Ferguson in anemail.

One way Metrolinxdiscouragesfraudulent Presto usage is to "hotlist" or cancel cards via their central systemif they are notified by the TTC, the statement said, adding that the agencyurges people to buy Presto cards from authorized sellers only.

"It's our job to get cards into the hands of children and to not put up unreasonable barriers to riding the TTC," said Ferguson in the statement, noting that cards are sold atShoppersDrug Marts andcustomerservice outlets.

Those outlets followMetrolinxprocesses when selling child Presto cards,she said butMetrolinxwillreinforcethe requirement to validate Presto purchases, including asking for a child's valid ID.

"Unfortunately there will always be a small percentage of people who will look for ways to scam any system, which is why transit agencies establish fare enforcement systems and policies," she concluded.

You can read all of the auditor general's27 recommendations, and management's responses,in her report here.