TTC starts phasing out 'no tap' gates at subway stations

The TTC is starting to phase out "no tap" gates at subway stations because customers gaining entry this way illegitimately is costing the transit agency more than $20 million a year, an official says.

The TTC is starting to phase out "no tap" gates at subway stations because customers gaining entry this way illegitimately is costing the transit agency more than $20 million a year, an official says.

The no-tap gates, which are monitored by collectors, automatically open when customers approach them at subway stations. Customers who use these gates legitimately are those who do not need to pay, such as children under 12, people with a support person assistance card, and those with a paper transfer. People also use these gates when paying with cash, a TTC ticket or a token.

But some customers are able to use the no-tap gates to enter subway stations without paying when they should be paying, TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said.

"People are just walking right through them without paying when they should be paying," he said.

Now, collectors will open the fare gates manually for people who need to gain entry this way on Line 4, the TTC said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

During the first step to the phase out, all other fare gates on Line 4 will be switched to "tap only" mode, the TTC said on its website.

The phasing out of no-tap gates across the entire subway system could take a year or two, Green said.

The TTC is undergoing a "culture change" where fare evasion will not be tolerated, he added. Full and partial evasion, through a myriad of ways, is costing the TTC roughly $140 million a year.

"Those days are gone at the TTC," Green said. "We can't take this lightly any more."

Affordability could be an issue, customer says

One TTC customer, who spoke to CBC Toronto at Don Mills subway station, said she supports the phase-out if people who can afford to pay fare are using the no-tap gates to skip out on fares.

However, affordability could be an issue for some people, Maryam Ibrahimi said.

"If it's people who can't afford it, then maybe we should look at the affordability prices. But if it's people just trying to take advantage of the system, obviously, I think it's a good idea," she said.

On its website, the transit agency said fare evasion is considered illegal and could result in a $425 fine.

"The fares we collect help us limit fare increases, deliver service and maintain and our system. When you don't pay your fare, you impact our ability to do this," the TTC said.

According to the TTC, fare evasion can be any of the following actions:

The move to phase out no-tap gates comes days after the TTC announced an interim CEO.

TTC board chair Jamaal Myers said last week that Greg Percy will take over from Bruce Macgregor, who was named acting CEO after Rick Leary resigned on Aug. 30.

Percy, when speaking to reporters on Friday, said his top priorities are safety and customer experience. Meanwhile, the search for a permanent CEO continues.