The TTC is cracking down on fare evaders and you could face a hefty fine

The TTC has a clear message for fare evaders in Toronto — pay your fare, or pay the price.

On Monday, the transit agency announced it would be rolling out changes meant to deter fare evasion across the network.

Starting September 9, TTC staff will switch all the fare gates along the Line 4 Sheppard route to "tap only" mode, as the first phase of a "system-wide approach to reduce fare evasion."

According to the TTC, people regularly dodging fares is costing the transit agency over $20 million a year — money it says could be used to improve the transit experience across the city.

From now on, fare collectors will be at the gates to manually open them for anyone who doesn’t need to pay, like kids under 12 or commuters with paper transfers. Everyone else will need to tap in.

If staff aren't there to let you through, commuters will have to press the green information button on the Passenger Assistance Intercom at the gate for help.

The TTC also took the opportunity to remind passengers that fare evasion comes in many forms.

Whether you’re sneaking into a subway station through a bus bay, hopping over a gate, slipping in behind someone, or boarding a streetcar without paying—it's all considered fare evasion and could get you into trouble.

If you're caught trying to get by without, the TTC says you could face a fine of up to $425.