If you're planning a trip to Vancouver, you may be wondering whether you need a Compass Card to ride the bus. The short answer is yes, you do. The Compass Card is a reloadable fare card that you can use when taking transit within Metro Vancouver. It's similar to the Oyster card in London, where you buy the card, load money onto it, and then tap it on the card reader when entering buses, trains, or the SeaBus. The fare is automatically deducted from the stored value on your card. You can purchase a Compass Card online or at vending machines located at transit stations and ferry terminals. The card costs $6, and you can load it with stored value or prepaid passes. This can be more convenient and cost-effective than paying for single fares, especially if you plan to use public transportation multiple times during your visit.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Purpose | Tap the card on the reader when entering buses, trains, and at the gates when entering and exiting stations. |
Availability | Can be purchased online or at vending machines at stations. |
Cost | $6 deposit, plus the cost of fares or passes. |
Fares | Fares depend on the mode of transport, time of travel, and number of zones travelled. |
Payment methods | The card can be loaded with stored value or prepaid passes. |
Refunds | Refunds are available for the deposit and remaining balance, but may take time to process. |
Registration | Registration is optional but offers benefits like balance protection and the ability to transfer the balance to a new card if lost. |
Concessions | Concession cards are available for youth (13-18) and seniors (65+). |
Children | Children aged 12 and under can ride for free. |
What You'll Learn
Where can I buy a Compass Card?
If you're in Vancouver, you can buy a Compass Card online at compasscard.ca. You can also buy one in person at a Compass Vending Machine (CVM) or at the TransLink Customer Service Centre at Waterfront Station. CVMs are located at all Canada Line, Expo Line and Millennium Line stations, the Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay ferry terminals, and Metro Vancouver London Drugs stores.
You can also buy a Compass Card by phone or by mailing a completed refund request form to:
Compass Customer Service
PO Box 2212 STN Terminal
Vancouver BC, V6B 3W2
Compass Cards can be loaded with Stored Value, or with prepaid passes (such as Monthly and Day Passes).
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How does the Compass Card work?
The Compass Card is a reloadable fare card that can be used on Vancouver's Metro public transit system. It can be purchased online or from a vending machine at the airport or other stations. The card can be loaded with stored value or prepaid passes (such as monthly or day passes).
When entering a bus, the card should be tapped on the reader—located near the bus doors—on the blue Compass card logo. On SkyTrain and SeaBus, the card should be tapped on the reader at the fare gates when entering and exiting. The fare is then automatically deducted from the stored value on the card.
Monthly and DayPass riders tap in to validate their prepaid journey. The card cannot be used to pay for two fares on the same journey—each rider needs their own form of payment. The card can be used to purchase a Compass Ticket for another rider at a Compass Vending Machine (CVM).
The card offers a more convenient and cheaper way to pay for public transport in Vancouver compared to paying with cash or buying single tickets. It also saves time as users do not need to queue for tickets or have the exact change.
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Do I need to tap in and out on the bus?
When riding the bus, you only need to tap in when you board and not when you exit. This is the case for all bus trips, which are always a 1-zone fare. When you tap in, the reader will deduct $2.10 from the value on your Compass Card. If you have loaded a day pass, tapping in will activate it. If you have both a day pass and dollar amounts loaded on your card, the day pass will be used first. If you wish to pay the $2.10 fare and use the day pass the next day, you will need two Compass Cards.
If you are using a SkyTrain or SeaBus, you will need to tap in and out. When you tap in, the fare for a 3-zone trip (the maximum) is deducted. When you tap out, if you have travelled in fewer zones, there will be a refund to your card.
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How much does a Compass Card cost?
To ride the bus in Vancouver, you need a Compass Card. This is a reloadable fare card that you can use when taking transit within Metro Vancouver. The card costs $6 as a deposit, which is refundable when you return your card. You can load the card with Stored Value or with prepaid passes (such as Monthly and Day Passes).
The Stored Value option is more flexible, as you can use it for any type of trip. The value is automatically deducted from the card when you tap it on the reader. Monthly and Day Passes are more restrictive, as they are only valid for the calendar month in which they are activated. You can buy a Monthly Pass for 1-, 2-, or 3-zone travel.
You can buy a Compass Card online or from a Compass Vending Machine (CVM). If you buy online, you will need a credit card. You can also buy the card in person at the TransLink Customer Service Centre at Waterfront Station.
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How does a Compass Card compare to paying with cash?
The Compass Card is a reloadable fare card that can be used on all Metro Vancouver public transit systems, including buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and HandyDART. It offers a convenient and flexible way to pay for your transit fares, and there are a few key differences when compared to paying with cash.
Convenience and Flexibility:
With a Compass Card, you can load it with Stored Value or purchase prepaid passes, such as Monthly or Day Passes. This gives you the flexibility to choose the payment option that best suits your needs. You can easily reload your card online or at Compass Vending Machines located at transit stations and other locations. In contrast, paying with cash requires you to have the exact change for the fare, which can be inconvenient if you don't have the right amount.
Tap and Go Technology:
The Compass Card uses tap and go technology. You simply tap your card on the reader when entering buses or at the gates when entering and exiting SkyTrain stations or SeaBus terminals. The fare is automatically deducted from the stored value on your card. This is much faster and more convenient than paying with cash, where you need to insert coins or bills into the fare box and wait for a bus transfer receipt.
Transferability:
The Compass Card allows for seamless transfers between different transit modes. With a single tap, you can transfer between bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and HandyDART services within the transfer time limit. On the other hand, cash fares on buses are not transferable to SkyTrain, SeaBus, or HandyDART. You would need to pay a separate fare for each mode of transport when paying with cash.
Cost Savings:
Using a Compass Card can also save you money compared to paying with cash. For example, a single one-zone ticket purchased with cash costs $2.75, while the same trip with a Compass Card is only $2.10. The Compass Card provides better value, especially if you make multiple trips or travel across different zones.
Online Account Management:
The Compass Card can be managed online. You can check your balance, view transaction history, and even set up auto-reload options to ensure you always have enough value on your card. This level of convenience and control is not available when paying with cash.
In summary, the Compass Card offers significant advantages over paying with cash. It provides convenience, flexibility, and cost savings. The tap and go technology speeds up your transit entries and exits, and the online account management gives you control over your transit spending. For frequent transit users or those looking for a seamless travel experience, the Compass Card is a superior option to paying with cash.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you need a Compass Card to ride the bus in Vancouver. You can buy a Compass Card online or from a vending machine at the airport or train station. The card costs $6 and you can load it with Stored Value or prepaid passes.
When you board the bus, simply tap your Compass Card on the reader located near the bus doors. You do not need to tap out when exiting.
Yes, the Compass Card can be used on buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and HandyDART. When using the SkyTrain, SeaBus, or West Coast Express, remember to tap your card when entering and exiting to validate your fare.
Yes, concession fares are available for seniors aged 65 and older, and youth between 13 and 18 years old. Children aged 12 and under can ride TransLink services free of charge.