Most TTC users will now have to pay a little more to ride the rocket as fares have increased across the board.

Under the new price structure, adults will pay:

• $3 cash fare, up from $2.75.
• $121 for a monthly Metropass, up from $109.
• $2.50 each for tokens purchased in batches of five or more, up from $2.25.

Seniors and students will pay:

• $2 cash fare, up from $1.85.
• $99 for a monthly Metropass, up from $91.25.
• $1.65 for tickets, up from $1.50.

Children's cash fare rises to 75 cents from 70 cents. Children's tickets are priced at 55 cents, up from 50 cents.

Multiple tokens are now also being offered for sale. In November, the TTC limited token purchases in an attempt to prevent hoarding as riders began buying tokens by the dozen to delay the impact of the January fare hike.

Eventually, riders were only allowed to purchase only one token at a time, and the TTC began selling temporary adult paper tickets.

As of Sunday, the TTC stopped selling the tickets, although they will be accepted until Jan. 31. Riders who wish to use the tickets after Sunday will have to pay an extra 25 cents.

Service cuts ruled out

The TTC approved the fare hikes on Nov. 17.

TTC Chairman Adam Giambrone said at the time that none of the three levels of government was prepared to boost the transit agency's operating budget, and that he was not prepared to cut service.

A fare increase was the only option remaining, he said.

Giambrone expects the increased fares will generate an additional $50 million in revenue this year.

Before the fare hike, the TTC expected a shortfall of about $100 million in its 2010 operating budget.

The TTC is offering some relief to university and college students, who are currently required to pay adult fares when purchasing the monthly Metropass.

Under the new system, they will be able to purchase passes that are now available only to high school students. But the change won't take effect until September.