Metrolinx has launched an internal review of a policy that allows employees and a guest to ride GO Transit for free.
The review comes after Ontario's Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca says he spoke to the crown agency's chairperson about the plus-one policy. He says although it's not uncommon for transit agencies to give workers free access to services, Metrolinx's employee perk should be reviewed.
"I understand that right across transit agencies, both here in Canada and abroad, that there are circumstances where employees are provided with the opportunity to travel for free," Del Duca told reporters on Wednesday. "I think there are other aspects of this that deserve review."
Metrolinx spokesperson Ann Marie Aikins says the plus-one policy is a part their collective agreement and is only supposed to be used occasionally by employees, not daily. She says the policy allows workers to introduce guests to the GO system.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne declined to comment about the policy during a press conference Wednesday morning, saying it was a "question for Metrolinx."
According to Ontario's Transportation Critic, Progressive Conservative MPP Michael Harris, the policy "speaks to a culture of entitlement" at Metrolinx.
