Untold info about ONE ZONE FARE on bus in Vancouver

With compass rolling out, it has some wonderful benefits for us all. There is however one sneaky bit that has been brushed under the carpet that should be out there.

Cash fares on busses

right now, all is good. Onezone all busses, and you only have to pay extra zones if you cross the zone boundary while on the train/seabus.

So if you caught the bus from Vancouver to Richmond, and then got on the train and stayed in Richmond, it will only be a 1 zone fare. Because the zone was crossed on the bus. The trip would be $2.75. Sounds great.

And even if you took a bus to surrey from Richmond, it would still be only 1 zone because any zone crossing is done on bus.

Now say you are in surrey, and need to catch a train 1 stop but still stay in surrey. it is STILL only one fare.


So all that travel for $2.75, nice. Even better, if it was done with "Stored value" on a compass card, it will be even cheaper. Because they give a discount on fare if its paid from stored value. ($2.10 i believe)



But what happens in 2016 when the fare gates close.
Well if you use a compass card or has a compass ticket, nothing really. Its still great with all the benefits.

The issue comes if you use cash and start your journey on the bus.
This is because in 2016 when compass is FULLY live and fare gates are closed, there will be a change.

Cash payment on a bus for fare will result in a transfer that is ONLY good on the bus. It is not upgradeable, and you have NO option to buy multi zone when paying cash.

So same example.

If you were to pay cash on a bus, it would be $2.75. If you took that bus to a skytrain and wanted to board the train, it would be at least an ADDITIONAL $2.75 even if it is the same zone (so a total of $5.50 if you stayed in same zone)

Now that transfer you got from the train will work fine on all busses, as it is a separate compass ticket.





Plane and simple TL/DR version.

In 2016 when fare gates close and compass is fully live, cash fares on busses (and ONLY cash fares) will ONLY be valid on bus travel in all zones. You will have to pay a completely new fare to get on a train. (which will then be valid for bus and skytrain. and of course if you are crossing zones on the train upgrades may be needed)




HOW CAN I AVOID ALL THIS??

It is really simple, get a compass card. If you get a monthly pass now, it will work the same, just on a new card. If you buy tickets now, just put that book of tickets value on the compass card, as the discounts you got from buying a book are offset by the cheaper fare when paying from stored value. If you pay cash now? STOP. get a compass card, and put cash value on that, and use the card. Or if cash is all you have, walk to the train. Any transfer purchased from the skytrain gives a compass ticket. And you are all good.

 

Not an "Untold" story. Was a major news story about a year ago.

TransLink wants everyone to switch to Compass. SAVE $$$ with Compass. If you choose to only pay with cash: Then you are paying the most to use the system.

 

I remember as a boy you could take either the #13 or #14 streetcar downtown for 5¢. They got rid of the streetcars after the war. One of my first jobs was on a work crew removing streetcar rails on Kingsway. I made $2.05 an hour which was quite good back then.

 

... you've got good stories to tell, Bine ...

... also, thank you to Gradey for the valuable information regarding the bus system ...