Do you know your rights on public transit?

The Know Your Transit Rights project is a public legal education project started by TTCriders following a number of violent confrontations by TTC fare enforcement staff and TTC Special Constables. There is a well-documented pattern of discrimination and racial bias in TTC fare enforcement, with the TTC’s own data showing that Black and Indigenous riders are subject to increased violence and surveillance by fare enforcement staff. For example, in 2021, the Toronto Star reported that Black and Indigenous transit users were “grossly overrepresented” in TTC enforcement interactions.

The Know Your Transit Rights project aims to educate riders on the rights they have while riding the TTC. In particular, TTCriders’ KYTR workshops and written resources aim to help riders understand when their rights are being violated, what they can do in the moment to keep themselves as safe as possible, and what they can do later to make sure their rights are respected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Provincial Offences Officer?

In July 2025, TTC fare inspectors were renamed to Provincial Offences Officers. They have the same powers as before, with Provincial Offences Officers able to issues warnings and tickets for fare evasion and other offences under TTC by-law number 1. As before, they cannot arrest, detain, or search transit riders.

Can an operator stop me from boarding a transit vehicle if I do not pay my fare?

A bus or streetcar operator is not supposed to confront you if you do not pay your fare, because it is not their job to enforce fares. If you do not pay your fare, a Provincial Offences Officer or TTC Special Constable may issue you a ticket. Only Special Constables can use force. Provincial Offences Officers and security guards can only use force in self-defence or as a last resort to protect members of the public.

If my 2-hour PRESTO transfer expires while I am still on transit, am I fare evading?

Under the TTC’s rules, you are allowed to complete your trip after your 2-hour window expires if you are on a vehicle or in a station. However, if you leave a station or get off a vehicle and make another transfer after the 2-hour window expires, you will need to tap and pay an additional fare.

If I am caught fare evading, am I automatically issued a ticket?

A Provincial Offences Officer is allowed to use discretion and can choose to give you a warning instead of a ticket, or ask that you pay your fare on the spot. A Provincial Offences Officer has access to your PRESTO payment history on their device.

Can I contest my fine?

Yes, you have 15 days to decide whether or not to contest your fine. If you decide to contest it, you can either meet with a TTC prosecutor to try to get your fine reduced or you can go to trial to dispute the ticket and get the fine dropped entirely. Please see our Know Your Transit Rights long guide for more information.

Can I record transit enforcement or TTC staff during an interaction?

Yes, you have the right to take videos and photos of police and transit enforcement staff. They cannot confiscate your phone or camera and they cannot ask you for a copy of pictures or recordings.

Are there Toronto police officers on the TTC?

Yes, there are currently 8 Toronto police officers stationed on Line 1 between Union and Eglinton stations. They ride the subway and patrol stations, with a priority on Union and Bloor-Yonge stations. Additional Toronto Police officers may be called onto the TTC, for example, if someone calls 9-1-1.

Can fare evasion ever lead to a criminal charge?

Fare evasion on the TTC is a provincial offence, which carries a fine. By itself, fare evasion cannot lead to a criminal charge. Provincial Offences Officers do not have the authority to arrest or charge you with a criminal offence. However, TTC Special Constables and police officers can arrest you and charge you with a criminal offence. Once you are interacting with Special Constables or police officers, it is unpredictable what will follow. For example, if you run away while being detained by an officer or provide a false name, you can be charged with resisting or obstructing an officer.

Workshops

TTCriders offers Know Your Transit Rights workshops to community organizations, social service agencies, grassroots groups, and frontline workers free of charge. To book a workshop, please fill out the form linked on our workshops page or click here. Read about our workshops below:

Know Your Transit Rights

This workshop is part of TTCriders’ Know Your Transit Rights project, which aims to empower riders and help them understand their legal rights while using the TTC. The workshop covers legal rights on public transit in Toronto, including how to identify TTC staff, how to exercise your rights with Provincial Offences Officers and TTC Special Constables, how to deal with fare evasion tickets, TTC safety resources, and additional legal resources.

Length: 1 hour

Know Your Transit Rights Workshop Poster

Know Your Wheel-Trans Rights

This workshop is part of TTCriders’ Know Your Transit Rights project, which aims to empower riders and help them understand their legal rights while using the TTC. This workshop is designed for Wheel-Trans users who are interested in understanding the rights they have before, during, and after Wheel-Trans trips and how to exercise these rights. The workshop covers topics such as the responsibilities of Wheel-Trans operators, how to make sure your trip is as accessible for you as possible, the Code of Conduct policy, traveling with support persons and animals, and appealing your eligibility category or suspension of service.

Length: 1 hour to 1.5 hours

Know Your Wheel-Trans Rights Workshop Poster

Written Resources

TTCriders has developed several different resources aimed at sharing general information with transit riders about their rights on the TTC. These guides are not legal advice. Download these resources below or order free copies for your organization by filling our order form or emailing [email protected].

Know Your Transit Rights - Wallet Card

English - Know Your Transit Rights

Translations of our Know Your Transit Rights wallet cards are coming soon.

Acknowledgements

The "Know Your Transit Rights" guide is made possible through the generous support of The Law Foundation of Ontario. The Law Foundation of Ontario has been advancing access to justice since 1974. Through granting and collaboration, the Foundation invests in knowledge and services that help people understand the law and use it to improve their lives. The Foundation also administers the Class Proceedings Fund, which provides cost assistance in class actions. Learn more at www.lawfoundation.on.ca.

Know Your Transit Rights

Do you know your rights on public transit?

Frequently Asked Questions

Workshops

Know Your Transit Rights

Know Your Wheel-Trans Rights

Written Resources

Know Your Transit Rights - Wallet Card

Know Your Transit Rights - Long Guide

Wheel-Trans and Family of Services - Short Guide

Wheel-Trans and Family of Services - Long Guide

Acknowledgements

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