Translink’s New System: The Compass

Have you been seeing new fare gates at various skytrain stations? Are you wondering what they are for? Well Translink is finally installing The Compass, an “electronic fare card system” (Orton, 2012). The Compass will allow Transit users to quickly pay for skytrain or busses by tapping their card on card readers. The catch, is that users will also have to tap to get out of the bus/ skytrain. This way, users will have to pay the full 3 zone price first and if they leave before 3 zones they can tap out and get their remaining money back. If users do not tap out, they will have to pay the full 3 zone price.

As a frequent traveller to Hong Kong, London, and Singapore – I have been in contact with these types of Transit machines before. Although many people may complain how it will be a longer and more tedious process to get through gates, and to tap out before they can leave the bus, I believe this will be a major benefit to Translink for 2 reasons:

• Translink will no longer lose money over bus/ sky train passengers that illegally board without paying
• Translink will be able to properly allocate time, effort and money towards transit authorities and their services

It is about time that some passengers started paying for what they’re using. This is the most fair and just way to make sure no one illegally boards these modes of transportation. No longer will we need Transit Authorities to stand on the platforms checking each and every person that walks by them. This will make Translink look all  in all much more professional and complete as a transportation system.

(Source: New Transit passes Usher Speedy Trips, Skytrain IMG, Fare Gates IMG)