Region considering bus fare inspectors to recoup lost revenue
Posted Nov 18, 2025 02:43:41 PM.
Last Updated Nov 18, 2025 02:43:46 PM.
The Region of Waterloo’s Strategic Planning and Budget Committee is considering a staff report recommending the expansion of the fare inspector program.
The current program operates only on the ION light rail system. This expansion would see fare inspectors added to Grand River Transit buses.
A study conducted a decade ago, and cited in the staff report, puts the fare evasion rate at around two per cent. Ten years later, the rate is estimated at five per cent or more.
At two per cent, the region is losing in excess of $1 million. A reduction of between 0.5 and 1 per cent would recoup between $500,000 and $1 million.
The recommendation is to hire one permanent fare inspector lead and offer six contract positions. The hope is that the recovered funds would offset the contract costs.
Aside from bringing in more money, it’s suggested that the fare inspectors would add to the rider’s experience, increase ridership and potentially position the GRT for provincial funding allocations.
Currently, fare inspectors on the LRT spend about 25 per cent of their time doing customer service. Things like helping riders navigate the system. Adding inspectors to buses would likely do the same.
Now that the report has been presented, it can be debated as part of the region’s ongoing 2026 Plan and Budget negotiations.
