British Columbia Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon says a former provincial MLA from the Opposition benches is a transit freeloader and a cheat.

Falcon says that while Gregor Robertson is now saying SkyTrain fines are too high, he didn't raise the issue while he was in the legislature.

Robertson, who is running as a Vancouver mayoral candidate in the November 15th municipal election, is facing a hearing next month over a $173 fine after he travelled two zones on a one-zone ticket.

Falcon says high fines are a way to deter freeloaders and cheaters from costing honest people money.

He then told reporters that Robertson fit the description because he didn't pay the right amount.

Falcon also says Robertson is a hypocrite and that he should just pay the fine instead of saying he'll use the December hearing as an opportunity to bring attention to unaffordable fines for an "honest mistake."