TransLink releases West Coast Express train-shaped Compass Card Mini keychain
Western Canada’s only commuter rail service, the West Coast Express, is marking 30 years of operations with a special celebration on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
To commemorate the major “pearl anniversary,” TransLink is launching a limited-edition Compass Mini keychain shaped like the iconic train locomotive, alongside a one-day Saturday train service and family-friendly festivities at Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver.
Additionally, starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, public transit enthusiasts and regular riders alike can pick up the Compass Mini’s West Coast Express edition at the TransLink Customer Service Centre inside Waterfront Station.
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Only 5,000 will be available — including 4,000 adult Minis (blue) and 1,000 concession Minis (orange) — each requiring a $6.00 refundable deposit.
The Compass Mini functions just like a regular Compass Card, allowing riders to use it for their fare payment — tapping in and out at fare gates and on bus card readers. Purchases will be limited to two units per person.
As well, for one day only, as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations, the West Coast Express commuter rail service will operate on a Saturday schedule.
From 10 a.m. onwards, the West Coast Express platform at Waterfront Station will host a celebration event with family-friendly activities, such as providing attendees with the ability to take a photo aboard the locomotive and explore inside the train and learn about its history.
Compass Mini West Coast Express keychain. (TransLink)
Compass Mini West Coast Express keychain. (TransLink)
These vehicle-shaped Compass Mini keychains are similar to the 2023-released, limited-edition Compass Mini keychain carrying the shape of a vintage trolley, commemorating the 75th anniversary of Metro Vancouver’s trolley bus fleet.
Over the decade-plus-long history of the Compass Card, TransLink has released special edition cards and Mini keychain attachments to commemorate milestones and special anniversaries of the public transit system.
Earlier this week, in partnership with Heritage Bricks, TransLink also released for retail a limited-edition, brick-building kit made of Lego of all four generations of SkyTrain cars. A total of 700 kits were made available for purchase, with all units selling out in under 48 hours. This was created to commemorate the upcoming 40th anniversary of SkyTrain.
The West Coast Express first launched for service on Nov. 1, 1995, operating on leased time on tracks owned by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). Typically, this train service only operates on weekdays, with a handful of runs in the peak travel direction during the morning and evening peak periods.
As TransLink does not own the busy railway, and because CPKC generally prioritizes freight traffic, which continues to see growing demand, there have been strict limitations on the ability and flexibility to improve and expand the commuter rail service.
Among all TransLink services, the West Coast Express saw the largest ridership hit due to the pandemic, as it heavily relied on office workers commuting into downtown Vancouver.
During his annual address to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, held today, TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn shared that ridership on the West Coast Express has now recovered to a post-pandemic high of 66 per cent of its pre-pandemic ridership volumes.
West Coast Express commuter rail locomotive. (TransLink)
- You might also like:
- Here's how you can ride a special West Coast Express train this weekend
- Celebrating 40 years: All four SkyTrain car models get must-have collectible brick building kits of LEGO
- BC government study identifies potential West Coast Express extension and regional rail options between Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
- Big expansion needed for West Coast Express commuter rail, says advocacy group
- Opinion: Let’s build new dedicated tracks for the West Coast Express commuter rail line
- Opinion: It's time to give the West Coast Express the big expansion it deserves