Seniors, kids could be over-charged by almost 60% with ‘tap’ payment
Posted May 22, 2018 12:35 pm.
Last Updated May 22, 2018 12:53 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The roll-out of a new ‘tap to pay’ system on transit may lead to some people being accidentally overcharged.
In addition to Compass Cards, TransLink now allows contact-less credit card or mobile payment systems to be used at readers to pay for SkyTrain or bus fares. But when users do that, a full adult cash fare is automatically charged.
If people who are eligible for concession fares aren’t aware of this, they could be charged nearly 60 per cent more than they should be paying.
Concession fares apply for seniors 65 and older, kids aged 5 to 13, and teens aged 14 to 18 with valid photo ID, as well as HandyCard holders.
For example, the concession fare for one zone is $1.80, while the adult fare for one zone is $1.05 more at $2.85.
Those who are eligible for concession fare are advised to get a Concession Compass Card, as it will ensure that you are charged the right rate. You can pay with cash on a bus or at a machine at a SkyTrain station.
Adults using the Compass Card will be charged a lower fare than they would using a tapped credit card or mobile payment, or paying in cash.
TransLink is advising people to take their payment card of choice out of their wallets before tapping, to avoid “card clash” where the wrong card may be charged.
If you are using a mobile device to pay, you’re advised to make sure there are no contactless cards in your phone case when you tap on card readers.
