How homeless people will access transit services once a region-wide electronic pass (Compass) system is installed is a matter of debate amongst stakeholders.
Last year, the Transit Working Group, assembled by a coalition of homeless advocates, asked the Ministry of Transportation to develop a metro transit strategy for homeless individuals.
Currently, the province covers TransLink’s lost revenues for fare evasion and unpaid tickets.
There is no such arrangement for the Compass card system, according to a City of Richmond report.
The TWG is proposing a bulk fare purchase system for shelter providers and to have evasion fines waived in cases of extreme poverty.
The proposals are part of a broader Metro Vancouver Homeless Transit Plan.
The Richmond Poverty Response Committee has asked the City of Richmond to endorse the plan, however, city staff are currently recommending to city council that a letter be sent to TransLink “requesting the feasibility of the recommendations put forward by the TWG to be explored.”
According to TWG, the annual projected cost of 2,650 homeless people using transit to get to a shelter or critical health or social service appointment is $133,000.
