2) A phased strategy for closing 'crash gates' at stations:
I like this idea. Some stations as noted like Kennedy cannot practically have their crash gates closed though I would like to see more enforcement there. Currently at Kennedy, anyone can walk in off the street for free if they claim they are coming from Platform B.
There really needs to be fare inspections at Kennedy, if there was I can see a number of people getting fined.
I'm fine with all of the above, as far as they go..........but would like to see cash fares eliminated entirely (you could pay cash at Presto machines). Doing this would require a fare purchase machine at most/all transit stops. While somewhat expensive, it might finally prove the requisite incentive to eliminate some too-close stops.
They do this in London UK. TFL eliminated all cash fares and the only way to pay now is either by contactless or Oyster. There are no more paper tickets, tokens or transfers.
The system works well and there are no complaints about discrimination.
I remain of the view that fewer or no age concessions are preferable, offset by lower adult fares, a 40-ride per month price cap, and a 3-hour travel window.
Honestly, they need to eliminate post-secondary discounts and free rides for children. If you are in college or university you can pay for your own transit usage like an adult at full cost.
As for kids fares, that is lost revenue. There should still be a very minimal fare for their usage of the system.
4) Considering registering bus fare boxes (ie. make them able to count change
Miway used to do this however I am not certain if they still do. I see it all the time where someone puts in less than a full fare and tries to play stupid. I am sorry but I am not paying taxes and a full fare to subsidize a cheapskate.
5) Eliminating child presto card that are undated, ie. have no expiry date. The intent would be code into the card that on a child's 13th birthday, it must start requiring fares.
This. You won't believe how many times I see teenagers pretend to be children or adults using child cards to get on for free. I am sorry but a 30 year old is not a child nor is a 14 year old.
6) There is also a move to reform the way enforcement is conducted, shifting it the program to something similar to MX, with a first offense warning (but you must provide ID and pay up), a second offense modest fine, and a third offense larger fine and provincial summons (you must go to court)
Hooray!
This is how they do it in Budapest and although it catches tourists off guard it does work to get revenue back.
I do wonder how they will deal with the homeless population. There are more then a few people who I see regularly that walk into stations via the bus bays and don't pay. They then proceed to panhandle in stations or sleep there.
Warden Station is notorious for having people sleep in the station washrooms over the winter talking to themselves because they are homeless.