4 a.m. lines snake Metrotown for TransLink's Hello Kitty Compass Card drop | Daily Hive

Snaking lineups starting at 4. a.m. wrap Metrotown mall for TransLink's Hello Kitty Compass Card release

Long lines at Metropolis at Metrotown mall on April 4, 2026 for TransLink's Hello Kitty Compass Cards. (Kenneth Chan)

To actively and creatively engage with public transit riders and enthusiasts, TransLink has introduced a range of themed and limited-edition Compass Cards over the years.

Some of these designs draw on globally recognized intellectual properties through partnerships with the international companies behind beloved brands and characters.

But none have generated this level of excitement as today’s release of Hello Kitty Compass Cards.

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TransLink spokesperson Thor Diakow told Daily Hive Urbanized prospective shoppers of the collectibles began queuing outside Metropolis at Metrotown mall’s Central Boulevard entrance doors at 4 a.m. — while it was still dark, six hours before the mall opened at 10 a.m., and seven hours before sales officially began at 11 a.m.

In total, just 3,000 limited-edition cards were produced across four unique designs featuring Hello Kitty and her friends — including My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and others. Each Compass Card was bundled with a co-branded TransLink and Hello Kitty luggage tag. Customers were limited to purchasing a maximum of two bundles each, priced at $44.99.

Today’s lineup to buy #TransLink‘s limited-edition Hello Kitty Compass Cards reached the Central Boulevard sidewalk outside Metrotown mall.

People began lining up at 4 a.m. ahead of the 11 a.m. start of sales.

A time lapse video at noon. #HelloKitty https://t.co/pJx4qTPkfK pic.twitter.com/DTWgIjMmPQ

— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) April 4, 2026

translink metrotown hello kitty compass cards

TransLink’s Compass Card and luggage tag collaboration with Hello Kitty. (Kenneth Chan)

Shortly after 10 a.m., TransLink announced that the lineup had reached “full capacity” and was being cut off. By that point, the queue had already wrapped across two levels of indoor mall corridors before extending far outdoors onto Central Boulevard, reaching the sidewalk beyond Walmart. There were at least several hundred people in line — perhaps nearly or even over a thousand.

Customers waiting outside were gradually brought indoors in controlled groups as the line began to move following the official start of sales, which took place at TransLink’s Hello Kitty-branded, pop-up booth in the Grand Court atrium on the mall’s ground level.

At about 4:45 p.m. today, Diakow told Daily Hive Urbanized all of the bundles had sold out.

“Obviously, we were not surprised by the demand. With this, it’s massive,” said Diakow, noting that there was a cross collaboration and promotion with Sanrio, the Japanese company behind Hello Kitty and her friends.

Long lines at Metropolis at Metrotown mall on April 4, 2026 for TransLink’s Hello Kitty Compass Cards. (Kenneth Chan)

translink metrotown hello kitty compass cards lines

Long lines at Metropolis at Metrotown mall on April 4, 2026 for TransLink’s Hello Kitty Compass Cards. (Kenneth Chan)

Diakow also said that the TransLink team is always actively looking to engage in partnerships with popular brands and intellectual properties.

This is the first time sales for such collectibles have happened outside a downtown Vancouver location.

Previous limited-edition Compass Card releases have included designs inspired by Captain Canuck — launched in February 2026 to coincide with Fan Expo Vancouver — as well as DC Super Heroes and even Elf. While these earlier collaborations proved popular, this latest release may be its most charming — and kawaii (cute) — yet.

On major public transit systems across Asia — including those in Hong Kong and Japan — collaborations like these are a familiar and well-established practice, seamlessly blending everyday commuting with popular culture.

Beyond fare payment smart cards, which have previously included train and bus vehicle-shaped keychains and wristbands, TransLink has continued to expand its collectible offerings. In Summer 2025, the public transit authority introduced its first-ever trading cards featuring various trains, buses, and the SeaBus fleet.

Last year, TransLink also partnered with Heritage Bricks to produce limited-edition brick-building sets — made with authentic LEGO pieces — representing all four generations of SkyTrain cars used on the Expo and Millennium Lines. Following strong demand, a second wave of kits was released earlier this year, including a model of the Canada Line train.