Delivering the Compass Card in phases is ‘working’: TransLink CFO

WATCH: TransLink is moving its delayed and over budget Compass Card program forward by offering one zone fits all fares on all buses this fall. John Hua explains.

Big changes are on the way for TransLink’s beleaguered $194-million Compass Card program as it prepares to roll out the next phase.

TransLink says starting Oct. 5 a temporary, one-fare system will be implemented for commuters using buses and HandyDART regardless of how many zones they travel. This change, according to TransLink, is to get people used to the new tapping system.

“Our plan of delivering Compass in phases is working,” said TransLink chief financial officer Cathy McLay. “We listened to our customers and what we heard was they were concerned about tapping out.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Our plan of delivering Compass in phases is working," said TransLink chief financial officer Cathy McLay. "We listened to our customers and what we heard was they were concerned about tapping out."

That means if you’re an adult, your bus fare will cost you $2.75 no matter which bus you are on, the day, the time or number of zones you’ve travelled. It also means card users riding the bus will need to tap in but will no longer need to tap out when exiting the bus.

West Coast Express, SeaBus and SkyTrain current fare-zone rates will remain in effect.

WATCH: For Seabus and Skytrain users, many fear the new one zone rate will create a two tier system. Catherine Urquhart has more.

McLay, who will be taking over as acting TransLink CEO as of Aug. 11 said there is no plan for a fare increase at this time and they do not anticipate a significant decrease in revenue due to the one-fare system because it will be balanced with an increase in transit users.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: McLay, who will be taking over as acting TransLink CEO as of Aug. 11 said there is no plan for a fare increase at this time and they do not anticipate a significant decrease in revenue due to the one-fare system because it will be balanced with an increase in transit users.

Over the next few weeks, Compass Vending Machines (CVMs) will be activated at a staggered pace throughout SkyTrain stations and SeaBus terminals. Single-use Compass tickets will be sold from the CVMs to start and then stocked with Compass Cards by late October.

WATCH: TransLink CFO Cathy McLay speaks to the media Thursday after the Metro Vancouver transit authority announced they will begin rolling out the much delayed Compass Card program

By November, TransLink says Compass Cards will be available to buy at stores, online or by mail.

Approximately 130,000 TransLink customers have already switched to the card, according to McLay.

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