WATERLOO REGION - More than 100 verbal and written warnings per week have been issued on light rail trains since the system launched.

Peter Zinck, director of transit services, said inspectors check about 10,000 passengers per week for fare compliance.

"The vast majority are paying," he said. "There are still some that we're still educating on what to do, it's new to them, so that's a small percentage and an even smaller number are those we believe aren't paying."

Zinck said inspectors will soon start issuing $240 fines to those trying to evade fares, but in the meantime they're issuing warnings.

That's the same fine that would be issued for failing to pay on Grand River Transit buses.

Inspectors are also trying to help people who are having trouble with the fare system.

It has been wrought with problems since light rail launched and different passes and tickets further complicate the system's use.

Tim Mollison, a frequent transit user, said he has experienced more fare inspection on the Region of Waterloo's Ion system than he has on mass transit systems in other cities.

Mollison said the system is inefficient and he proposes the region scrap the inspectors and current fare system in favour of putting a fee on property tax bills to cover fares.

"The people who really are motivated to get around this thing are going to get around it and if you want to really stop them from getting around it charge them on the one thing they really can't get away with," Mollison said.

Regional Coun. Tom Galloway uses light rail regularly and his fares have been inspected multiple times.

He said free transit on trains and buses would mean having to find $42 million that's expected in fares.

Galloway doesn't oppose free fares but said now is not the time.

"We've increased property taxes for LRT itself so I think we need to take a bit of a breather when it comes to that," he said.

Since 2011, the owner of an average home has paid $969 in taxes to help launch trains and expand the bus system to feed them. This includes $597 dedicated to trains, according to regional figures.

This assumes a total increase in regional taxes reaching almost 13 per cent on a home assessed at $344,000 this year.

Regional government has been taxing residents annually since 2011 for the rapid transit system, which includes light rail transit and express buses. Next year will be the final tax increase of 0.4 per cent.

The region has budgeted $415,000 for transit inspection.

Mollison said inspection seems to be focused on trains in the university area. He uses the route frequently and has had his fare checked multiple times on one day.

Zinck said passengers should expect that.

"That's the kind of understanding we want in the community ... you need proof of payment and need to be prepared to show that," Zinck said. "I get that people feel that, 'you should know I paid, I'm an honest person ...' but we have to do what we can to protect the revenue that we expect to get off of operating the service."

If there is concern someone hasn't paid, Zinck said inspectors try to understand if it was an issue with the fare system or if the person was just trying to dodge payment.

He said inspectors know if certain machines or fare infrastructure aren't working at certain times.

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