Reblogged from The Seniors Hub
Q: What is a Compass Card?
A: Compass Cards can be loaded with the fare product of your choice including Monthly Passes, Day Passes and Stored Value. Travelling with Stored Value gives you the same rate as Fare Savers and allows you to pay-as-you-go.
Q: Which card is good for me?
A: Adult Compass Card: The most commonly used card – it can be loaded with pass products or Stored Value for pay-as-you-go trips.
Concession Card: For children 5 to 13 years of age, secondary students 14 to 19 with a valid Go Card, and seniors 65+ all qualify for discounted fares. (Not available at 'CVMs' - Compass Vending Machines)
Compass Tickets: Available from CVMs, Compass Tickets and Day Passes are great for occasional adult or concession riders/visitors.
Q: How do I use my Compass Card?
A: Using your Compass Card is easy. Simply tap in when you start your journey and tap out when exiting or transferring.
Remember, buses are tap in only, so there's no need to tap out when exiting. When you tap out, the system calculates the fare zones you've travelled and charges you the correct fare.
This applies to all products, including Monthly Passes. Card readers are located at all SkyTrain and SeaBus fare gates, near bus doors, and at the entry and exit points to West Coast Express stations.
Q: How to Tap?
A: Remove the card from your wallet to avoid interference.
Hold it flat against the card reader until you hear a beep and see a check mark to proceed.
When you tap out, the card reader will indicate the fare deducted and the remaining balance, or date the pass expires*.
*This information will appear on your first tap upon boarding a bus.
Q: Where to Tap?
A: On buses: Tap in at the card readers located near the bus doors when boarding. Please note all buses are tap in only. You are not required to tap out when exiting buses.
SkyTrain and SeaBus: Tap in and out at the fare gates when entering and exiting.
Metrotown Station and West Coast Express*: Tap in and out at the validators when entering and exiting.
*West Coast Express customers must tap their Compass Cards as they pass all fare gates and rail validators. The only exception is the concourse validators at Waterfront Station in the morning.
Q: How long is the Transfer Time?
A: You have 90-minutes on bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus (and 120 minutes with a West Coast Express fare) to make your final transfer without being charged a new fare.
Q: Where to purchase a Compass Card?
A: You can purchase a Compass Card at the following convenient locations:
Compass Vending Machines (CVMs)* located at:
Compass Vending Machines (CVMs) accept cash, credit and debit.
Online and telephone sales require a credit card, and it can take up to two hours for your Compass product to be available for use.
If you purchase fare products at a CVM, they'll be available for use immediately.
*Concession Compass Cards are not available for purchase at CVMs.
Q: Which London Drugs in Vancouver sell Compass Cards?
A:
Q: What can I do if the card is lost?
A: Register your card after you purchase it by calling the number at the back of the card.
If you lose your card, you may call the number again, and the staff will transfer the fee left in your card to a new card. However, you need to pay another &6 for the new card.
Q: How can I get the $6 Refundable Card Deposit?
A: When you get a Compass Card, you'll pay a $6 refundable deposit for your card. You can get your $6 deposit back by returning your card to the Compass Customer Service Centre at Stadium–Chinatown Station or the West Coast Express Office at Waterfront Station.
You can also mail your card with the Refund Request form to:
Compass Customer Service
PO Box 2212 Station Terminal
Vancouver BC
V6B 3W2
Tel: 604.398.2042
More info at www.compasscard.ca