The next time you sit down on a street car the stranger next to you may actually be an undercover transit officer.
The TTC board has approved a plan to use plain clothed special constables to catch fare evaders.
The TTC's Brad Ross was on the Night Side on NEWSTALK 1010 and says the special constables wouldn't actually be checking fares or writing tickets. Instead, he says they'll point out potential fare cheats to uniformed fare inspectors.
"That will allow our fare inspectors to be a little be more efficient," Ross explains.
If someone refuses to provide proof of payment, Ross says the special constables have the authority to make arrests while fare inspectors do not.
Ross says about two to two and a half percent of TTC riders do not pay their fare. It's a number he says is, "not unique to us."