TransLinkompass customers are “one in a million”, now that one million Compass Cards are in active use on the transit system. This means more than one in three people in TransLink’s service area are using a Compass Card.
With so many cards now in active use and comprehensive plans to ensure a seamless transition for customers, TransLink will close the remaining accessible gates on the morning of Monday, July 25 to ensure Compass and the fare gates deliver on the system’s intended goals.
“We’ve been eagerly watching the numbers climb towards one million, and we want to thank our customers for embracing the Compass Card and getting us to this milestone,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. “This not only means our customers are enjoying the benefits of the Compass Card, but that we’re also seeing early system benefits, with increases in both revenue and ridership just three months after closing the gates.”
Fare revenue for April, May and June of 2016 is up eight per cent over the same months in 2015, driving an overall five per cent growth in fare revenue over the first half of 2016 (compared with the same period last year).
TransLink is seeing early gains in ridership too, with ridership growing an estimated two per cent over the first half of 2016 (compared with the same period last year).
Proximity-sensor entrances will be in place by the end of next year for customers with disabilities who are unable to tap a Compass Card, and a number of options exist for these customers to access SkyTrain and SeaBus stations. These options include the Station Assistance Service, Assistive Devices Program and the HandyCard Program.
“TransLink is committed to making the interim solutions successful for our customers who are unable to tap,” said Desmond. “We’ll continue to work directly with these customers to ensure that our system remains one of the most accessible in world."
