TransLink moving to fully closed gates beginning Monday

Gates will begin to close Monday at Lower Mainland transit stations, in what TransLink called a “major step” in the Compass system’s rollout.

Monday morning, all fare gates at SeaBus terminals and certain SkyTrain stations will be closed, requiring riders to use a Compass Card to tap in and enter.

Full closures are coming to every station by the end of the week, but riders can still use cash and FareSavers on buses. Previously, at least one gate was left open at each station, allowing riders to pass through without a Compass Card.

Three days before the planned shift to full gate closures at all stations, TransLink apologized for inconvenience caused by “technical issues” at some Compass gates.

Transit riders took to social media Friday afternoon, complaining of delays caused by malfunctioning Compass fare gates, and asking if crowds stuck at the stations were the butt of an April Fool’s joke. Within 30 minutes, TransLink announced via Twitter that the issue had been resolved, and apologized for the inconvenience.

No one from TransLink was available to talk Sunday about fare gate closures, said a spokeswoman for the transportation authority. A statement issued by TransLink four weeks ago described the transition to the fully closed, gated system as “the next major step in rolling out Compass to Metro Vancouver.”

Cathy McLay, TransLink’s acting CEO at the time, said in last month’s statement: “We’ve arrived at this exciting stage by rolling out Compass in phases and listening to customers along the way to make sure we get it right for them.”

The statement also said TransLink will introduce a “station assistance service” starting Monday, to help people with disabilities and ensure access for riders who are not able to tap with the Compass system.

The provincial government is ensuring continued transit access for riders who hold subsidized B.C. Bus Passes, which are not compatible with the Compass fare gates.

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation is mailing Compass Cards to about 18,000 low-income seniors and people on disability assistance who live outside Metro Vancouver so they can still access transit in the region, according to a statement Sunday from the ministry. B.C. Bus Pass holders living in the Lower Mainland already use the Compass Card.