Transit Enforcement
YRT/Viva is proud to offer increased security, valuable one-to-one customer assistance and fare enforcement services, through our new Transit Enforcement team.
Fare Media Inspector
Fare Media Inspectors can be seen on the buses and in the terminals in order to:
- Provide friendly customer assistance throughout the YRT/Viva transit system.
- Ensure the correct use of YRT/Viva tickets and passes.
- Patrol YRT/Viva premises.
- Respond to customer, equipment or other emergency issues.
- Enforce York Region Municipal by-laws applicable to transit on all YRT/Viva and affiliated properties.
- Issue offence notices, summonses or court appearance notices.
Special Constable
Special Constables have the powers of a Peace Officer to enforce the Criminal Code of Canada and other related federal statutes on YRT/Viva and affiliated properties. They can be seen on the buses and in the terminals in order to:
- Provide friendly customer assistance throughout the YRT/Viva transit system.
- Ensure the correct use of YRT/Viva tickets and passes.
- Patrol YRT/Viva premises.
- Respond to customer, equipment or other emergency issues.
- Enforce York Region Municipal by-laws applicable to transit on all YRT/Viva and affiliated properties.
- Issue offence notices, summonses or court appearance notices.
Fare Violations, Fines and Warnings
Fare Media Inspectors and Special Constables roam the YRT/Viva system daily to ensure compliance with the proof-of-payment system. Transit Enforcement staff make random on-bus checks to ensure correct use of tickets, transfers and passes. Customers without valid fares may be subject to a warning, $150.00 fine or criminal charge.
For a full list of offences and fines, please download the Complete Set Fine Listing (Adobe PDF, 15 KB).
Regional Municipality of York By-law R-1415-2005-028 (Adobe PDF, 29 KB) is also available for viewing.
How do you contact Transit Enforcement?
During business hours, please report issues relating to crime, safety or security to the Customer Service Centre at 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978). After hours, please call 1-866-MOVE-YRT and select option 7. YRT/Viva Customer Service Centre Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
For fare equipment issues, please contact the Customer Service Centre at 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978) during business hours. After hours, please call 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978) and select option 6.
Fare FAQs
1. Can university and college students buy YRT/Viva student fares?
Only full-time high school students with valid student ID are eligible for YRT/Viva student fares. College and university students can take advantage of adult discounted sets of 10 tickets or monthly passes.
2. Do I need to validate my ticket to ride Viva?
Yes. If you have purchased a set of 10 tickets, you must validate your ticket at a vivaNow machine located at all vivastations and terminals. If you have purchased a single ride ticket from a oneRide machine, are using a monthly pass, GTA weekly pass or valid transfer, you do not need to validate your fare.
3. What happens if I don’t validate my ticket?
YRT/Viva Transit Enforcement staff make random on-bus checks across the transit system to ensure correct use of tickets, transfers and passes. Customers without valid fares may be subject to a warning, $150 fine or criminal charge. Don’t forget to validate!
4. What happens if my two-hour ticket expires while I’m still on the bus?
Your validated ticket or transfer indicates the time your trip expires.You have up to two hours to travel, but you must complete your entire trip and exit the bus before your ticket or transfer expires. If your time expires while you are still travelling, you could be subject to a fine. Plan your travel time carefully! YRT/Viva cannot revoke a fine once it has been issued. Make sure you always have a valid ticket or pass while travelling on YRT/Viva.
5. I received a fine on YRT/Viva because I didn't have a valid fare. Now what?
You have three options to pursue within 15 days of receiving your fine.
1. Plead guilty and pay the fine by attending the court shown on your ticket, mailing in your
payment or visiting www.paytickets.ca.
2. Plead guilty with an explanation and speak to a Justice of the Peace at the court
shown on your ticket.
3. Plead not guilty and request a trial by attending the court shown on your ticket.
6. How can YRT/Viva Transit Enforcement tell where my ticket has been validated?
Each vivaNow validator prints a unique code number on your ticket. This code shows the location of the vivastation where you validated. Always remember to validate your ticket prior to boarding Viva and keep it with you at all times as proof-of-payment.
Customer Code of Conduct
YRT/Viva is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for riders and employees. Please see our Customer Code of Conduct for the basics about what is considered acceptable and unacceptable on YRT/Viva vehicles and property. Click here to download a pdf of the Customer Code of Conduct