TransLink will soon take the next major step in rolling out Compass to Metro Vancouver. On Monday, April 4, TransLink will start closing remaining open fare gates – by Friday, April 8, all fare gates at SkyTrain and SeaBus stations will be closed.
“We’ve arrived at this exciting stage by rolling out Compass in phases and listening to customers along the way to make sure we get it right for them,” said Cathy McLay, TransLink acting CEO. “More than 675,000 customers have made the switch to Compass and we are confident our customers are ready for this transition to a fully closed, gated system.”
During the week of April 4, staff will be at SkyTrain stations and SeaBus terminals throughout the week to support customers as gates close. By Friday, April 8, all fare gates will be closed and customers will need a Compass Card or Compass Ticket to pass through fare gates and travel on SkyTrain and SeaBus.
As a reminder, customers who travel by bus can continue to pay with cash or use up their FareSavers, but they will need a Compass Card or Compass Ticket to transfer to SkyTrain or SeaBus.
Throughout the month of February, TransLink completed close to 20 successful SkyTrain station gate closure demonstrations, which gave customers and front line staff the opportunity to experience full gate closures. Full gate closure demonstrations will continue at stations across the system through March.
Expected benefits of the full Compass system include increased customer satisfaction, enhanced safety and security throughout the system, reduced fare evasion and better data collection to drive transit planning and ridership.
In advance of full gate closure, TransLink has been working closely with people with disabilities, advisory groups and stakeholders to ensure continued access through fare gates for those customers without the ability to tap. Starting April 4, TransLink will introduce a station assistance service to help these customers at fare gates, including elevators. Details of the new station assistance service will be shared directly to this customer group once operational details are confirmed.
“The station assistance service will be beneficial for some people with disabilities to have access through fare gates and at elevators,” said Pam Horton, board member of the Disability Alliance of BC. “We look forward to working with TransLink to continue to explore a range of options to ensure the transit system is inclusive and accessible for everyone.”
TransLink encourages customers to get ready and switch to Compass before April 4. With Compass, customers can travel and seamlessly transfer across the TransLink network with a single Compass Card.
Compass by the numbers
- More than 675,000 customers now have a Compass Card.
- Approximately 300,000 Compass Cards are tapped on an average weekday.
- 300,000 (45 per cent) of Compass Cards are registered.
- 70,000 Compass customers are using AutoLoad to renew Monthly Passes or top up Stored Value.
- Use of FareSavers is down by 80 per cent.
