TransLink fares (Vancouver)

TransLink is the transportation authority in the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia. It was created in 1998 as a replacement for BC Transit in the city of Vancouver and neighbouring municipalities. As part of its mandate, TransLink is responsible for setting and administrating fares for regional public transit services.

On June 25, 2007, all Coast Mountain and West Vancouver Blue Buses were designated "fare paid zones", meaning that passengers are legally required on demand to produce proof that they have paid the proper fare.

The SkyTrain and SeaBus fare structure is based on a zone system. Municipalities are located in one of three transit zones, and fares are calculated based on the number of zone boundaries crossed on SkyTrain or SeaBus.

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

The zone system applies only on weekdays from start of service to 6:30 p.m. on SkyTrain or SeaBus. Outside of these times, the entire system is considered to be one zone—on weekdays from 6:30 p.m. to the end of the service day, and all day Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.

As of October 5, 2015 the bus system is considered to be a single zone. Where the trip is solely on buses, only 1-zone fare is required regardless of the number of geographic zones crossed.

Work on a new smart card system, the Compass Card, began in 2010, with the smart cards becoming operational in late 2013. The size of a credit card, the card contains an embedded microchip and replaces previous forms of non-cash payment on all transit services in Metro Vancouver. Passengers "tap" on and off at electronic readers when they board or exit transit vehicles. To reload cards, passengers will be able to pay online or by phone. According to TransLink, this new system has "overwhelming public support" because of the additional security it provides. The initial purchase of the card costs $6 and serves as a one-time overdraft in the event of insufficient funds for travel.

There are two classes of fares on TransLink: adult and concession. Concession fares are less expensive than the adult fare. They are available for children (ages 5–13), secondary students (ages 14–19, with a TransLink GoCard), seniors (ages 65 and up), and patrons with disabilities (with a valid HandyCard). Children four years old and younger ride free when accompanied by an adult.

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Wikipedia