Bill 98 Could Hike Toronto Transit Fares: Advocates Warn Of Rising Costs

Ontario’s Bill 98, the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, is facing opposition from Toronto officials and transit advocates who warn the legislation could centralize control over transit fares and increase costs for riders.

Introduced in March 2026, the legislation is designed to accelerate home construction and improve the movement of people and goods across the province. However, a key component of the act would grant the provincial government broad authority to establish rules regarding transit fares and service integration throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

The provincial government has stated that the objective of these changes is to simplify travel for commuters. By implementing a more unified fare structure across various transit systems, the province aims to allow riders to pay a single fare and transfer seamlessly between systems regardless of where their trip begins.

This proposal has met resistance from the TTC, Toronto City Council and various transit advocacy groups. Critics argue that the legislation threatens local decision-making and removes essential control from the city over its own transit operations.

A primary concern among opponents is the potential for fare increases. Advocates warn that a unified fare system could lead to higher costs for TTC riders, which would disproportionately impact lower-income residents who rely on the system.

Andrew Pulsifer, the executive director of the transit advocacy group TTCriders, told Now Toronto that the legislation represents an attempt by the province to take greater control over the TTC, raising concerns about affordability.

The opposition to the bill has extended to transit workers. Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 and transit riders have jointly attended committee hearings to voice their opposition to the proposed takeover and the risks of reduced accountability.

Rather than the centralization of fare control, transit advocates and unions are calling for the provincial government to provide stable funding and engage in meaningful public consultation before any changes to the transit system are implemented.