Transportation

TTC Unveils Plans for “Smart” Fare Gates

The Toronto Transit Commission has started testing a new generation of fare gates that promise faster access and better fraud detection using AI.

By Feather Sand Chronicles Editorial Team | April 18, 2025 at 10:46

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has announced plans to install a new generation of ‘smart’ fare gates designed to enhance commuter convenience and reduce fare evasion. The initiative, unveiled at a press event inside Union Station, marks a significant upgrade from the existing Presto-based system.

Unlike current fare gates that require a physical card or QR code, the new system will support multiple access methods including mobile tap-to-pay, facial recognition for registered users, and AI-powered sensors that detect authorized entry. TTC officials say this will both modernize the rider experience and provide valuable analytics.

Initial pilot installations will begin in late summer at five of the busiest subway stations, including Bloor-Yonge and St. George. The pilot aims to test gate reliability, speed, and fraud prevention under real-world conditions. Feedback from daily commuters will help shape the system’s broader rollout.

Fare evasion has been a growing concern for the TTC, costing the agency an estimated $70 million annually. Officials hope the smart gates—equipped with real-time alerts and entry tracking—will serve as both a deterrent and enforcement aid, without increasing confrontational policing at entry points.

Privacy advocates have raised early concerns over the use of biometrics and data collection. The TTC has responded by stating that facial recognition will be opt-in only and that data collected will comply with city and provincial privacy standards. A full audit of the system’s safeguards will be conducted before full deployment.

If successful, the smart fare gate project could position Toronto as a North American leader in transit innovation. With other cities like Montreal and San Francisco also testing next-generation access systems, the TTC is looking to balance efficiency with accountability in its approach to modernization.