[AlvinofDiaspar]

None too soon, with a "track level injury" at King.

AoD

 

[Zach6668]

The TTC's official policy, via Brad Ross on twitter, is that if you're on a TTC vehicle--even a bus on an not-Presto-listed route--if the reader is there and shows 'not in service', you ride for free.

However, as with most TTC policies, they A) haven't told the drivers, or B) the drivers don't care, because drivers generally refuse to allow you to board unless you pay your fare another way.

Anyone's guess what fare inspectors will do, though naturally that's only an issue on streetcars not buses, and I've found streetcars usually have this problem much less than buses, and when they have the issue just one of their readers is down leaving 1-5 more typically working, vs. the buses I've been on where if one device is offline, the other ones always have been as well.

You don't exactly "ride for free". You're expected to tap at the next possible location, ie if you transfer to another route, or a subway station, etc. You're still expected to pay the fare you owe if that option becomes available. Obviously you should be tapping at the one of the other readers on the vehicle if they is in working order.

The policy seems to be more that drivers should let you on if you're trying to pay with Presto and it's not working, not that you get a "free ride," though undoubtedly, some will treat it as such.

 

[Johnny Au]

I notice that the 29 Dufferin bus now mention "Proof of payment" on the destination signs. Apparently, the TTC realized that this bus route has the most incidences of fare evasion (especially at Dufferin station).

 

[DSC]

Another (crazy?) bus idea. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36961433

 

[muller877]

I notice that the 29 Dufferin bus now mention "Proof of payment" on the destination signs. Apparently, the TTC realized that this bus route has the most incidences of fare evasion (especially at Dufferin station).

Has the TTC hired extra staff to monitor the POP/Presto on the streetcars/buses? It could potential be a positive to the bottom line (fines will be greater than salaries paid)

Even contract workers (with a commission). Minimum wage plus a commission to get you near (or higher) than what the existing workers get paid. Anyone who steal should be caught and a commission to catch these thief's is OK by me.

Monitor the employees. If they work hard and its positive to the bottom line you keep on hiring. Once it's revenue neutral you stop net hiring (getting rid of the bottom performers and hire new ones to replace them)

Oh wait...silly me. This would make the TTC run like a business not a Kleptocracy. Will never happen

 

[DSC]

Has the TTC hired extra staff to monitor the POP/Presto on the streetcars/buses? It could potential be a positive to the bottom line (fines will be greater than salaries paid). Will never happen

Yes, there are. This from the last TTC Board meeting explains.

"In mid-2014, seven TFIs were deployed with the introduction of the first new streetcar on the 510 Spadina route, completing 60K inspections per month, a 2% inspection rate, with an evasion rate of 3.9%

In 2015, a number of other streetcar routes became ADB and POP. In each case, an initial month-long customer education period took place followed by fare enforcement. TFIs conducted approximately 80K inspections per month and averaged 100 written warnings and 200 tickets. Since January 2016, when all streetcar routes became ADB and POP, 51 TFIs conducted approximately 220K monthly inspections. Customer education remained a strong focus, though the monthly average number of written warnings (322) and tickets (465) increased. Since April 2016, the TFI’s main focus became fare enforcement which has seen the monthly average number of tickets issued increase significantly to 1,079.

Today, the evasion rate has decreased to a monthly average of 2.7% and the inspection rate has increased to 2.8%. In 2015, a number of other streetcar routes became ADB and POP. In each case, an initial month-long customer education period took place followed by fare enforcement. TFIs conducted approximately 80K inspections per month and averaged 100 written warnings and 200 tickets. Since January 2016, when all streetcar routes became ADB and POP, 51 TFIs conducted approximately 220K monthly inspections. Customer education remained a strong focus, though the monthly average number of written warnings (322) and tickets (465) increased. Since April 2016, the TFI’s main focus became fare enforcement which has seen the monthly average number of tickets issued increase significantly to 1,079. In mid-2014, seven TFIs were deployed with the introduction of the first new streetcar on the 510 Spadina route, completing 60K inspections per month, a 2% inspection rate, with an evasion rate of 3.9%.

By mid-2016, the remaining budgeted 18 TFIs will be hired, bringing the total to 69, the minimum number required to achieve the industry standard fare inspection rate of 4-5%. These additional resources will further discourage fare evasion throughout the entire streetcar network. The number of TFIs required to keep the fare inspection rate and evasion rate within industry standards will continue to be closely monitored. Today, the evasion rate has decreased to a monthly average of 2.7% and the inspection rate has increased to 2.8%. In 2015, a number of other streetcar routes became ADB and POP. In each case, an initial month-long customer education period took place followed by fare enforcement. TFIs conducted approximately 80K inspections per month and averaged 100 written warnings and 200 tickets. Since January 2016, when all streetcar routes became ADB and POP, 51 TFIs conducted approximately 220K monthly inspections. Customer education remained a strong focus, though the monthly average number of written warnings (322) and tickets (465) increased. Since April 2016, the TFI’s main focus became fare enforcement which has seen the monthly average number of tickets issued increase significantly to 1,079. In mid-2014, seven TFIs were deployed with the introduction of the first new streetcar on the 510 Spadina route, completing 60K inspections per month, a 2% inspection rate, with an evasion rate of 3.9%. "

TTC is far from perfect but you 'somewhat' loose credibility if you complain about things you clearly do not understand.

 

[muller877]

Yes, there are. This from the last TTC Board meeting explains.

"In mid-2014, seven TFIs were deployed with the introduction of the first new streetcar on the 510 Spadina route, completing 60K inspections per month, a 2% inspection rate, with an evasion rate of 3.9%

In 2015, a number of other streetcar routes became ADB and POP. In each case, an initial month-long customer education period took place followed by fare enforcement. TFIs conducted approximately 80K inspections per month and averaged 100 written warnings and 200 tickets. Since January 2016, when all streetcar routes became ADB and POP, 51 TFIs conducted approximately 220K monthly inspections. Customer education remained a strong focus, though the monthly average number of written warnings (322) and tickets (465) increased. Since April 2016, the TFI’s main focus became fare enforcement which has seen the monthly average number of tickets issued increase significantly to 1,079.

Today, the evasion rate has decreased to a monthly average of 2.7% and the inspection rate has increased to 2.8%. In 2015, a number of other streetcar routes became ADB and POP. In each case, an initial month-long customer education period took place followed by fare enforcement. TFIs conducted approximately 80K inspections per month and averaged 100 written warnings and 200 tickets. Since January 2016, when all streetcar routes became ADB and POP, 51 TFIs conducted approximately 220K monthly inspections. Customer education remained a strong focus, though the monthly average number of written warnings (322) and tickets (465) increased. Since April 2016, the TFI’s main focus became fare enforcement which has seen the monthly average number of tickets issued increase significantly to 1,079. In mid-2014, seven TFIs were deployed with the introduction of the first new streetcar on the 510 Spadina route, completing 60K inspections per month, a 2% inspection rate, with an evasion rate of 3.9%.

By mid-2016, the remaining budgeted 18 TFIs will be hired, bringing the total to 69, the minimum number required to achieve the industry standard fare inspection rate of 4-5%. These additional resources will further discourage fare evasion throughout the entire streetcar network. The number of TFIs required to keep the fare inspection rate and evasion rate within industry standards will continue to be closely monitored. Today, the evasion rate has decreased to a monthly average of 2.7% and the inspection rate has increased to 2.8%. In 2015, a number of other streetcar routes became ADB and POP. In each case, an initial month-long customer education period took place followed by fare enforcement. TFIs conducted approximately 80K inspections per month and averaged 100 written warnings and 200 tickets. Since January 2016, when all streetcar routes became ADB and POP, 51 TFIs conducted approximately 220K monthly inspections. Customer education remained a strong focus, though the monthly average number of written warnings (322) and tickets (465) increased. Since April 2016, the TFI’s main focus became fare enforcement which has seen the monthly average number of tickets issued increase significantly to 1,079. In mid-2014, seven TFIs were deployed with the introduction of the first new streetcar on the 510 Spadina route, completing 60K inspections per month, a 2% inspection rate, with an evasion rate of 3.9%. "

TTC is far from perfect but you 'somewhat' loose credibility if you complain about things you clearly do not understand.

So 1100 fines per month x 12 months x $235 = $3.1M
Say the average worker earns $60k + $40k (benefits + pension). 51-69 staff so $5 to 7M expenses.
A loss which needs to be reversed. Either via higher revenue (more fines per employee or better targeted inspection) or lower costs (fewer staff/cheaper wages).

Have they identified which routes/times create the most fare evasion? Or just focusing on 9-5?

A 3% inspection rate means the commuter (twice a day, 22 days a month) should have the fare checked 1.3 times a month. I know it's a random check but I have not been checked in 2016 (yet) and statistically I should have been checked about 10 times. Of course I arrive at work at 8 am and leave after 6 pm so either I have a four leaf clover or they don't target these times/routes/don't have staff on at this time. Has anyone here been checked more than a couple of times in 2016 (or anywhere close to 10 times)?

They must have stats as to which routes/times have the largest evasions (and where they don't have stats yet). Would be interesting to see.

 

[W. K. Lis]

Ideally, the TTC would want to collect zero in fines.

 

[DSC]

Ideally, the TTC would want to collect zero in fines.

That is true BUT it needs to be qualified "The TTC would want to collect no fines based on checking x% of passengers." (The most cost-effective way to collect no fines is to do no checking :-> )

 

[TheTigerMaster]

Ben Spurr@BenSpurr
2 mins ago
Tory is raising the prospect of calling in a task force to cut the TTC's budget if management will not find more savings.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/08/03/ttc-chief-wont-endorse-unpalatable-budget-cuts.html

 

[TheTigerMaster]

What a terribly boneheaded move by Tory. He's looking to do more damage to the TTC than any mayor this century.

 

[salsa]

So TTC refuses to endorse John Tory's "unpalatable" budget cuts that might require eliminating all fare discounts for seniors and students, cutting service, and delaying the opening of the Spadina extension, along with a 10-cent fare increase that would still be $149M short of the budget request. And in response, John Tory says that:

“If (the TTC) can’t do this themselves, and I’m confident they have enough good management there to find these ways of doing things better and differently, then I guess we could help them,”

“Perhaps the only people who would find them unpalatable would be those who want to preserve the status quo,” he said.

What a terribly boneheaded move by Tory. He's looking to do more damage to the TTC than any mayor this century.

How did John Tory become the transit mayor again?

 

[W. K. Lis]

Inflation at 1.5%, 1.9% if you exclude gasoline. A 2.6% budget cut would really be a 4.1% (4.5% if you exclude gasoline) cut. Will the price of gasoline go lower or stay the same for 2017?

We had 4 years of cuts under Ford. We do not want another 4 years of cuts under Tory.

 

[jje1000]

Byford has been great, but he was way too quiet over the last budget cycle or two when he could have raised a larger fuss and negative publicity over cuts like the police have.

Now Tory's at it again and Byford knows the TTC has its back against the wall.

Transit City people (looking at Goldsbie and the like) need to start organizing against these cuts or the city will no longer have a functional transit system. After all, rising transit fares and deteriorating service hurts minorities disproportionately.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

The "Transit City people" (whoever they are) need to start organizing to toss Tory out of office. Eight years of Rob Ford is enough.