TransLink to begin accepting credit card tap
Riders reminded to remove their plastic from wallet before hopping on board
Transit users are being reminded to tap their Compass or credit card, not their wallet, beginning today when card readers on buses and at SkyTrain stations start accepting card payments.
Tapping a contactless Visa, Mastercard or mobile-payment method will automatically begin a single adult cash fare.
The fare will be valid for 90 minutes across the system and the cost will be calculated based on how far you travel. When riders tap out of the transit system, the charge will be automatically calculated and billed to your credit card.
If several cards are tapped at the same time, such as when a wallet is tapped on the reader, card clash could occur.
TransLink is reminding people to remove their Compass or credit card from their wallet before tapping.
Tap payments via credit cards and mobile payments are for riders who do not have a Compass Card and charges a single adult cash fare. A Compass Card, however, still offers a discount on cash fares. If you have a Compass Card but you forgot it at home, you can still pay with a credit card, but it will be a regular non-discounted adult cash fare.
Debit card payments are not yet available. At this time, only Visa, Mastercard and mobile payments such as Apple Pay (linked to a valid credit card) are accepted on TransLink’s tap card readers.