The days of scrambling to find your compass card at a TransLink fare gate – only to realize you've left it at home – are over.
As of Tuesday, riders can now "tap to pay" using contactless Visa and Mastercard credit cards and Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay. The card readers do not accept contactless debit, however.
To use the new payment option, tap a contactless credit card or mobile device (linked to a Visa or Mastercard credit card) on a card reader at the start of a journey. Tap again when transferring or exiting, unless on a bus, which are tap in only. The exact fare will be sent to the credit card company at the end of a a journey.
“Tap to Pay is about giving our customers more choices. If you’re an everyday transit user then you are going to want to keep using the Compass Card for its discounted rates. If you’re a visitor to Vancouver, or you’re going to a concert or sporting event and only ride transit on occasion, tapping a credit card or mobile wallet is a new option for you to get on our system quickly and easily – no ticket line ups and no need for cash,” said Kevin Desmond, CEO of TransLink in a press release.
Because of these new changes, TransLink is also reminding transit users to “tap your card, not your wallet”, as a credit card or mobile wallet can be charged if tapped directly on the sensor.
The awareness campaign was launched in March and TransLink has been educating the public in every SkyTrain station about the new change. In case your credit card is charged by accident, contact TransLink at https://mfb.translink.ca/ or 6049533333
Watch out for "card clash"—only tap the card you want to be charged as our Compass Card readers will soon accept more payment options.
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) March 26, 2018
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