Later this spring, Metro Vancouverites will be able to tap more than their compass card to use transit. According to TransLink, the new “tap to pay” system will allow riders to tap their Visa, Mastercard or mobile wallet on card readers directly to pay their fare.
“Once launched, this will mean no more ticket lineups, digging for exact change or worrying about pre-calculating zones for customers who don’t have a Compass Card,” read a release from TransLink.
But beware, people who usually tap their Compass Card from inside their wallet or cellphone case could be charged for the ride on the wrong card. If the reader identifies a credit card instead of a Compass Card, you could be in for a surprise when the bill comes.
TransLink says the reader will never charge multiple cards during a single tap, but does recommend taking out the card you want to use to avoid charging an unintended card.
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The exact date of launch is still unknown but CEO Kevin Desmond said their goal is to be ready for “tourism season.”
“Improving the customer experience is one of our top priorities,” said Desmond in a release. “And Tap to Pay is going to make taking transit even easier.”