Edmonton Transit passengers caught cheating the fare box, bothering other people or playing music too loud face much higher penalties starting Aug. 1.
Councillors Wednesday boosted almost all the fines for 33 transit offences to $250, up from the current $50 or $110.
The move, made without discussion, is expected to bring in an extra $750,000 annually if the number of tickets stays at current levels.
Transit security issued about 6,500 tickets last year, most for riding without paying, using an expired transfer and other fare-related bylaw violations.
Other offences covered by the increase include vandalism, begging, littering, misuse of a bicycle and selling material without permission on transit property.
The current fines are among the lowest on a Canadian transit system and are considered insufficient to act as a proper deterrent.
They last went up in 1998.
Coun. Don Iveson said it has been a long time since the fines were raised and they were due for a review.
“The feedback I have had is only positive. People have been calling for higher consequences, especially for fare evasion. Two hundred and fifty dollars will make you remember to pay your fare.”
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