Single-journey Compass fares available at select SkyTrain stations beginning this week

Another part of the Compass fare payment system for Metro Vancouver’s public transit network is being rolled out this week.

According to TransLink, beginning this week single-journey Compass ticket fare slips can be acquired at the new Compass Vending Machines at Braid, Lougheed and Sapperton stations on the Millennium Line. Every week until the end of October, machines will be turned on at several SkyTrain stations to replace the old ticketing machines.

Compass tickets are for one-time use only and should not be confused for the reusable, reloadable Compass Card. These disposable tickets are made out of paper with a built-in RFID tag that requires transit users to tap in and tap out at SkyTrain station fare gates.

The old ticket vending machines will remain at the stations until December 31 to provide transit users with a transitional period. Transit users who already have a Compass Card can use the new Compass machines to reload the stored value in their card.

When the Compass Card is launched in late-October, transit users can acquire their reloadable cards online, through the phone, in-person at the customer service centre at Stadium-Chinatown Station and London Drugs stores, and the new Compass machines at SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express stations.

Beginning on October 5, transit users will be able to bus anywhere in the region – through all three zones – with the existing $2.75 one zone fare, all day and everyday. However, the existing three-zone fare system will remain for SkyTrain and SeaBus services.