Metrolinx scraps employee perk allowing free rides for guests

WATCH: Metrolinx has scrapped its policy allowing friends and family of employees to ride for free on GO Transit services. Alan Carter reports.

TORONTO – Metrolinx has scrapped its policy allowing friends and family of employees to ride for free on GO Transit services.

The regional transit authority issued the statement Tuesday afternoon confirming the changes to the perk.

“Metrolinx confirmed that it is a reasonable practice to continue to provide the benefit of using GO Transit to staff. The review found that this is a common benefit provided to employees by other transit agencies and it will be maintained,” according to an email statement from Metrolinx.

“The Board voted to amend the Policy to remove the ability of employees to be occasionally accompanied by guests.”

Minister of Transportation Stephen Del Duca said in an email the policy shift was “the right thing to do.”

Prior to the review, Metrolinx employees and their friends were allowed free rides on GO Trains and buses.

The free tickets for guests were only supposed to be used sparingly but the transit agency didn’t keep track how often employees used their free rides. The only way employees could be noticed using the free plus one ticket would be if a GO officer checking tickets aboard trains for proof-of purchase and then checked it against employee records.

Metrolinx said in a statement shortly after Minister of Transportation Stepehen Del Duca announced the review that “most transit agencies across the country have policies in place with the goal to encourage staff to take transit as opposed to driving to work.”