506 streetcar toronto

The most popular streetcar route for TTC fare evaders

If you've ever wondered what streetcar route has the highest number of fare evaders as your mind wanders on your daily commute, there's now an answer — and one that may surprise you. According to a TTC report obtained by the Toronto Star, the 506 Carlton has the most fare dodgers of all of them with a 3.79 per cent rate of evasion.

The lowest of the bunch is the 511 Bathurst with a rate of 2.01 per cent, which is just a hair above the 2 per cent number that the TTC tries to keep fare evasion down to. Other noteworthy routes include the 505 Dundas at 3.73 per cent and the 504 King at 2.93 per cent.

These numbers are based on the first six months of a TTC tracking project which aims to determine the best strategy for reducing fare evasion. Part of the project involved pitting two different types of fare inspectors against each other: one in a police-like uniform with handcuffs and a baton, and the other in what's described as a "customer friendly" outfit.

The report suggests that the latter, more friendly style of fare inspector garb is equally effective and thus preferable. During the tracking period, the TTC recorded a fare evasion rate of 2.7 per cent on its streetcar routes.

Lead photo by

Michael TO


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