TransLink announced Compass Cards can soon be used to pay for and unlock travel with TransLink, Modo, Evo and Mobi by Shaw Go as part of a limited pilot program that launched Oct. 24.
The Shared Mobility Pilot Program will see select Vancouver-based employers provide their employees with co-branded Compass Cards for use on trips with any of the four transportation providers.
"The Shared Mobility Pilot Program is ultimately about providing more choices and more convenience for customers,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. “Those participating can take transit on their morning commute, cycle to meeting locations throughout the day, and unlock carshare services for the journey back home. These individual trips will now all be possible with one easy and seamless payment method. I'm very much looking forward to the results of this pilot and how it will guide our next generation of travel tools."
Approximately 200 employees from 14 organizations are set to take part and will be able to view expenses for each mode at the end of the month in one convenient location through a streamlined expense report. The Shared Mobility Compass Card is for employees to use on work-related travel and is not open to the public at this stage.
"Public bike share is a great active and sustainable transportation option for the Metro Vancouver region,” said Mia Kohout, general manager, Mobi by Shaw Go. “However, we know that if combined with transit and other shared mobility options, there is a much greater opportunity for wider adoption and usage. This is one of our main motivators for joining the Shared Mobility Compass Card program, we want more people riding bikes to get around."
TransLink's partnership with Modo, Evo and Mobi by Shaw Go was formed as part of the inaugural Open Call for Innovation on Seamless Mobility. The pilot program runs until the end of May 2020 and is important for testing the technical integration of the Compass system. All participating organizations and employees will be surveyed at the beginning and end of the program. The information collected will determine TransLink's next steps, including the potential for wider integration.
