Montreal public transport: the fine, validation and contactless payment (2026)
According to the STM (Société de transport de Montréal), checked on 31 October 2026, your validated fare is your proof of payment and you must show it to inspectors on request; without it you could face fines of up to $500, not including fees.
Fines and payment rules change, often at the start of the year. We quote the transport company’s own pages word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. The inspector, the fine notice and the official page decide.
At a glance
| Network | STM métro and buses |
|---|---|
| Fine without a valid ticket | Up to $500 plus fees |
| Contactless bank card | Not stated on the STM pages we read: fares go on the STM’s reloadable or occasional smart cards |
| Validate or tap? | Yes: your validated fare is your proof of payment; keep it for the whole trip |
| How to pay | Chrono app, fare vending machines and station agents in the métro, online |
| Change announced | None on the pages we read |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
Fines
If you don’t have proof of payment, you could face fines of up to $500 (not including fees).
Source: STM: Fares and pricing (STM (Société de transport de Montréal)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
How to pay
Where to buy this fare Online On the Chrono app In the métro Fare vending machines From station agent
Source: STM: 1-trip, All modes A (STM (Société de transport de Montréal)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Validating and tapping
How do I prove I paid my fare during a fare check? Your validated fare is your proof of payment. Keep it with you at all times during your trip and show it to inspectors if asked.
Source: STM: Fares and pricing (STM (Société de transport de Montréal)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Driving instead?
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Questions
What is the fine on the Montreal metro?
The STM says: “If you don’t have proof of payment, you could face fines of up to $500 (not including fees).”
How do you pay for the metro in Montreal?
The STM lists these ways to buy a 1-trip fare: “Where to buy this fare Online On the Chrono app In the métro Fare vending machines From station agent” The STM pages we read do not mention paying by tapping a bank card.
Spotted a change? Tell us.