More on Compass – your new way to commute to work
On our earlier article, we discussed where you can get a Compass Card, how and why you should register your card, and what products you can load among other things. Here is additional information to help you transition to Compass from paper passes.
COMPASS CARDS/TICKETS
Adult Compass Card (blue)
– Durable, reloadable, electronic fare card
– Can be loaded with Monthly Pass, DayPass or Stored Value
Concession Card (orange)
– For children 5 to 13 years of age, secondary students 14 to 19 with a valid GoCard, and seniors 65+ who all qualify for discounted fares
– Durable, reloadable, electronic fare card
– Can be loaded with Monthly Pass, DayPass or Stored Value
Compass Tickets (white)
– Great for occasional adult or concession riders/visitors
– Disposable, non-reloadable single-use Tickets and DayPasses
– Purchased through a Compass Vending Machines (CVM)
COMPASS PRODUCTS
Monthly Passes
If you are a regular transit user, this is the product for you. Monthly Passes are good for travel during the calendar month and for the same prices as Adult and Concession Monthly Passes today. These passes are transferrable. A Compass Card is required.
DayPasses
If you are a sporadic transit user and you need to travel many times throughout the day, you may wish to purchase a DayPass to save money. DayPasses are valid at all zones and for the same prices as today. You may load this product onto your Compass Card or purchase a Compass Ticket at a CVM.
Stored Value
This product is for single trips and occasional use. It is just like having cash on your hand (pay-as-you-go) and gives you the same discounted rate as FareSavers but with added flexibility. Same fare rate as FareSavers today for Zone 1, 2 or 3. A Compass Card is required.
Single-Use Tickets
If you don’t have a Compass Card, you can purchase Single-Use Tickets at a CVM. These tickets are only good for the day of purchase and will not provide you the same discounted rate as FareSavers. Regular fare rates as when you pay on the bus or SkyTrain today for Zone 1, 2 or 3 will apply.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Here are some videos that may be helpful to you.
– Where to get a Compass Card
– Loading your Compass Card at a Compass Vending Machine
– How to load a Compass Card online
– Tapping your Compass Card on the bus
– Tapping your Compass Card on SkyTrain
– How to check your travel history and Compass Card balance online
– Don’t forget that all bus trips require only one-zone fare effective October 5, 2015
Employees requesting mileage reimbursements
If you registered your Compass Card, you can view and print your sales and usage transactions at Compasscard.ca (http://www.compasscard.ca/). If you use a credit card to purchase a Compass ticket or to reload your Compass Card from a CVM, choose ‘Yes’ for receipt when prompted. Your credit card statement should also show such transaction. If you use a debit card, the CVM will automatically generate a receipt or you can refer to your bank statement. If paying in cash, choose ‘Yes’ for receipt when prompted.
When is Compass going to take effect?
Compass Cards are now available throughout the system. While you can still use traditional fare media for the time being, Compass will replace all current transit passes and tickets once transition is complete.
Using Monthly Paper Pass?
December 2015 is the final month when monthly paper passes will be available for use.
Using FareSaver Tickets?
The date when FareSavers will no longer be sold and accepted as valid fare media will be determined by TransLink. Once FareSavers are no longer accepted, you can convert them to Stored Value, which offers the same discount as FareSavers. To transfer your FareSavers credits onto a Compass Card, go to Compass Customer Service Centre at Stadium-Chinatown Station (Unit 1 – 590 Beatty St, Vancouver; Monday – Friday, 8am to 4pm) with your unused FareSaver tickets. FareSavers cannot be exchanged for cash.
Closing Fare Gates
Fare gates will remain open until the roll-out of Compass is complete. TransLink will provide plenty of notice before the gates close in early 2016. If you haven’t already purchased your Compass Card, get one now and start tapping.
QUESTIONS?
Visit Askcompass.ca for frequently asked questions and for more information, please visit translink.ca/compasscard.