TransLink campaign to ease you into Compass system

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LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS1130) – You’ll soon be hearing a lot more about the new gates and farecards coming for SkyTrain and buses across the Lower Mainland.

TransLink will soon launch a campaign using social media, online videos, and a test bus that will let you use the new $171-million Compass Card system through the spring and summer.

“There are bus readers that are going in… mobile validaters. They’re going to be in the front door, middle door, and rear doors of the bus. That’s so you can tap on and tap off with your Compass Card,” explains Mike Madill with the transit authority.

He tells us they will be easing passengers into the new system next fall. “We’re going to phase it in. So there’ll be a period of time when people can use both the old system and the new system.”

You will eventually be able to “tap” on and off with your credit card, as well.

“It’s likely that we’ll launch the Compass system first and phase in the Visa/Mastercard functionality after,” says Madill.

The system will store fares on an electronic chip card until you use it. Fares will be calculated and deducted when you scan the card entering and leaving the transit system. TransLink does expect it to be a big adjustment for passengers, admitting it will take time to educate riders about how it works.

Fare gates are already being installed at some SkyTrain stations, along with tarp-covered Compass Card vending machines.TransLink does expect it to be a big adjustment for passengers, admitting it will take time to educate riders about how it works.

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