TransLink accepting debit card payments to ride transit

Metro Vancouver transit riders can now use their debit cards to pay for rides as TransLink says its payment systems have been upgraded.

Until the change, riders could only use credit, their digital wallet, or compass cards to get through the fare gates.

Now, the ability to pay with debit will be available on every bus and fare gate in Metro Vancouver. The transportation authority says this is the first Canadian agency to fully integrate contactless debit payments throughout their system.

It’s here! Tap in to ride with Interac.https://t.co/czArhcxgie

— News from TransLink (@TransLinkNews) January 11, 2023

“We’re focused on making transit more convenient for customers and this upgrade will particularly benefit those who may not have easy access to a credit card,” said TransLink CEO, Kevin Quinn.

“We were the first transit agency in the country to implement contactless credit card payments, and we’re proud to be the first transit system in Canada to implement contactless Interac Debit payments systemwide as well.”

TransLink says the change comes after a recent survey from Interac found 67 per cent of survey respondents said tap payments would help make transit more convenient, along with 64 per cent of respondents in B.C. saying the tap payments could help save time when using transit.

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Over 5,000 compass readers have been updated, and will also allow debit payments through phones’ digital wallets.

“This allows customers to pay for transit more easily without having to use an in-station Compass Vending Machine or having to pre-load a Compass product with stored value,” TransLink explained.

“Adding Interac Debit to the list of accepted payment methods is a big step forward in contactless innovation. A diverse set of payment options enable Metro Vancouver transit riders to bring and pay with the credential that best suits their needs, further enabling frictionless travel,” Matt Newsome, the senior VP with Cubic Transportation Systems, added.

With files from Robyn Crawford