TransLink has announced it their card readers will soon accept contactless payments for Visa and Mastercard, along with mobile wallets such as Apple Pay (and Google Pay, Samsung Pay), to pay for adult cash fares, starting May 22, in Metro Vancouver.
Debits cards won’t be accepted, but Translink says “We’re exploring this option for future updates to the system.”
The addition of contactless readers aims to eliminate line-ups, finding exact change and also pre-calculating fares for zone travel, for those not using a Compass Card. TransLink says support for tap payments will also be convenient for tourists and casual riders, so they can just “simply tap and ride.”
Riders are to tap their credit cards or mobile wallets when they enter their ride and one more time when they exit.
“We are a customer-first organization and are always looking for innovative ways to improve our customers’ experience. Tap to Pay is all about customer convenience. Compass is great for regular riders and this initiative leverages its greater potential by adding more convenient payment options for infrequent users and travellers. With tourist season upon us, this is perfect timing for the launch of this new technology,” said Kevin Desmond, CEO, TransLink, in a statement.
TransLink also continues to push its card-clash marketing campaign, educating riders to tap only their card and not their wallet or purses, as readers will charge the first card detected. Users of Compass Cards will continue to pay discounted rates.
What do you think about the addition of tap payments from TransLink?
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I don’t live in Vancouver… but I find this is a great idea. Hopefully, this will also be available in Montreal soon.
Now if only we could add our compass cards to Apple Pay!
Exactly! While I understand this is convenient for those who want to use their credit card, regular/frequent riders would greatly benefit from having their Compass card tap-able via their phone (and it would cut down on dropped/lost cards as well…)
Precisely my thought
Please add all cards to Apple wallet. Let us set our own limits. I only carry my license; presto card; MasterCard and debit card now. I really wish one day maybe I could just carry around my phone and maybe a emergency power bank ?
We’re not in China, Taiwan, or Japan. lol.
“We are a customer-first organization and are always looking for innovative ways to improve our customers’ experience.” Sounds like this is true! Unlike Toronto’s TTC who think the goal is to get from point A to point B and think of their customers are the enemy of their goal. Their customer-last attitude means it will be a long time before wthey get Apple Pay, if ever.
Don’t be so quick to believe what you’re told, lol.
No Amex??
I was thinking the same thing. Amex uses Apple Pay, although I have never been able to get it to work at any merchant accepting Apple Pay and Amex.
Amex Apple pay tapping works at YVR. Very convenient when exiting the parkade, I just tap with my watch out the window and go.
“Riders are to tap their credit cards or mobile wallets when they enter their ride and one more time when they exit.”
How are they going to enforce riders who used their credit card/Apple Pay when they entered also tap it when they leave?
The same as they do now. To exit, you have to tap. I imagine a set pre authorized amount is also added as a buffer should you not tap out. I’m sure there will be issues as there are with the compass card. I was dinged for not tapping out one time when I actually did.
I’d be curious to know if we’ll be paying the $2.80 (or what ever it was again)
or the reduced $2.10.
When you pre-load your compass card, you only pay $2.10 opposes to the higher amount when paying cash.
You pay the full price, you only can get the reduced rate with a compass card. Paying with Apple pay is as if you are going to pay with cash.
Booo, it does make sense though.
Thanks for the info 😀
Ya, I’ve been hoping Apple adds an API this year for American transit passes, the way they did for Japan’s FeliCa system.
I’d expect that to happen for iOS 12.
Strange not including debit cards.