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Get a Public Transit Card

Description

Depending on where you land in British Columbia, public transit uses different payment systems — Compass Card for Metro Vancouver, and Umo for the rest of BC. A Compass Card is the reloadable transit card for buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express in Metro Vancouver. It's cheaper than paying cash every ride and lets you transfer between routes for free within 90 minutes.

In person 10–20 min
Online 10 min

card delivered by mail in 1–2 weeks

What to do

The steps below apply to Metro Vancouver residents. If you are settling outside Metro Vancouver, see the tip at the bottom of this task.

1. Find a Compass Card vending machine at any SkyTrain station or buy one at London Drugs or Shoppers Drug Mart
2. Pay the $6 card deposit — this is refundable if you return the card later
3. Load at least $10–20 onto the card to get started
4. Register your card at compasscard.ca so your balance is protected if the card is lost
5. Tap your card when entering and exiting SkyTrain stations — and only tap once on buses
6. Optionally set up auto-load once you're familiar with your spending habits

Warnings

Always tap out after riding SkyTrain

  • If you forget to tap out, you get charged the maximum 3-zone fare — about $6.70 instead of the $2.85 you'd normally pay for one zone
  • Riding without valid fare can result in a $173 fine — it increases to $273 if left unpaid
  • Unpaid fines can block you from renewing your driver's licence or vehicle insurance in BC
  • Buses don't require tapping out — only SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express

Cash fares cost more

  • Paying cash on a bus costs significantly more than using a Compass Card
  • Bus drivers don't give change — you need exact fare if paying cash
  • Paying cash also means you lose transfer benefits and pay more overall

Don't share your card

  • Compass Cards are meant for one person only
  • Sharing your card can lead to it being blocked
  • Each rider needs their own card

Tips

How zones work

Metro Vancouver is divided into 3 fare zones. Fares increase when you cross zone boundaries — it's not always city-based. Check the TransLink zone map before your first longer trip so you load enough balance.

Free 90-minute transfers

With a Compass Card, you can transfer between bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus within 90 minutes at no extra cost. You won't be charged again if you transfer within 90 minutes — a bus + SkyTrain trip counts as one fare.

U-Pass for students

U-Pass is likely already included in your tuition — you just need to activate it by linking your student account to your Compass Card at compasscard.ca. Make sure you buy a blue Adult card, not an orange Concession card — U-Pass only works with the Adult card.

No card? Use your phone or bank card

If you don't have your Compass Card with you, you can tap your phone or contactless bank card as a one-time payment. It works, but you'll be charged the cash fare — which is higher than the Compass Card rate.

Outside Metro Vancouver

If you live outside the Metro Vancouver area — such as in Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, or Nanaimo — public transit is operated by BC Transit. BC Transit uses the Umo system. Download the Umo Mobility app or buy a physical Umo card at local vendors. No credit check or Canadian bank account required. Visit bctransit.com for your city's routes and fares.

Monthly pass for commuters

If you take transit to work every day, look into a monthly pass — it can save you $30–50 compared to paying per trip.

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