I am currently in the Greater Vancouver area.
I am wondering if I should buy the Compass Card or not.
I read that Compass card can be used when doing transit between different transports.
How can it be done?
Say, I start with Bus, then Skytrain then Bus again.
Let’s say I tap in for the bus ride at 09:00.
Do I need to tap out of the Bus? Say I get off at 09:45.
How much time I still have for the next leg? The following leg?
Hi @YK1001 :
Think of Compass card like Octopus Card in HK, except only for transport system (cannot be used at shops).
$6 deposit. You can only get the deposit back if you register the card online and also go to the Main Street office (near the Main Street station) to obtain the refund.
So much like HK, you tap in and out on the metro (also known as the Skytrain) and you only tap in when you get onto a bus, do not need to tap out, again like HK.
You have 2 options.
Once you start your journey, you have 90 minutes. If you stay on buses, then you’ll only be charged for 1 zone regardless of where you go. If you transfer to Skytrain or Seabus, then it depends on where you started, you may be charged 2 or 3 zones depending on where you go. As long as you tap when you’re supposed to, the card will do the calculations for you automatically.
If you know you’ll be using transit a lot within a day, then I suggest doing a day pass. You can purchase at the machine.
You can read more details on this page.
Thank you very much, @Shirley !
It seems like I should get one as soon as pissposs.
Do you know buses in Victoria accept Compass card or not?
@YK1001 : No Victoria has their own system, details on this page regarding fares.
Victoria is not very large though. Once you’re in downtown, you can walk everywhere.
@YK1001 I remember using the compass card last year during my stay in Vancouver. We stayed at an Airbnb and the host recommended it to us. It was very handy and you save some money I believe.