As of today, travelers can now use their contactless Interac debit card to tap in and out on buses, at fare gates in SkyTrain stations and SeaBus terminals, at West Coast Express stations and on buses.

Interac is the network Canadian financial institutions rely on for debit and e-transfers.

TransLink’s Compass program also accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay alongside the traditional Compass stored value card, wristband, and if you were lucky enough to wait in line for one last December, mini keychain.

“We’re focused on making transit more convenient for customers and this upgrade will particularly benefit those who may not have easy access to a credit card. We were the first transit agency in the country to implement contactless credit card payments, and we’re proud to be the first transit system in Canada to implement contactless Interac Debit payments systemwide as well.”

Kevin Quinn, TransLink CEO

The transit agency also reminds travelers to remove the card they intend to pay with from their wallet when tapping in and out to prevent the wrong card from being charged.

Statistics included in a press release from TransLink show that “66 per cent see debit as a convenient way to pay for transit” and “64 per cent claimed that tap payments would save time when paying fares.” Eight in ten people also polled found that paying for their transit fare should be as easy as paying for their coffee. The data was sourced from a 2022 survey initiated by Interac.

Using a credit card or debit card as payment charges a full fare whereas discounts are applied when paying with stored value, monthly pass or Day Pass on a Compass card.

The Compass card system runs on a platform designed and implemented by San Diego, California-based Cubic Transportation.

Source: TransLink

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