The Editor, At present, bus riders have two ways to pay on a TransLink bus - cash, or Faresaver (a paper card with magnetic stripe).
The bus driver issues a similar card when a cash fare is paid, and both cards record the starting time and zone, via printing and a mag recording. When boarding a subsequent bus, the card is read magnetically for each boarding.
When using the card to travel on SkyTrain or Canada Line, and adding more zones, the card is read by the station ticket machine and a new one replaces it (this is often used by seniors whose Faresavers are single zone only).
Since there will be a one-trip version of Compass for passengers that pay by cash at a station, and assuming that fare machines will be upgraded, not replaced, why on earth can't the station fare machines accept a bus card and issue a one-trip compass card, or perform an add fare operation if that's needed?
Why would this change cost an extra $8 million?
It does not make much sense.
Roger Nathan
Richmond
