Richmond residents taking trips to New Westminster, Delta or UBC via bus will soon save as much as $1.25 each way after TransLink introduced a temporary, single fare for all bus trips as it rolls out the new Compass transit card system.

The $2.75 cash fare for all bus trips starts Oct. 5. TransLink initially intended to charge passengers the adequate zone fares as they "tap out" the new cards after their bus trip. However, the system has faced significant delays and the one-fare system is an easier system to manage.

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There is no announced time frame for a return to regular fares.

Meanwhile TransLink stated the Compass system will be fully up and running by November meaning Canada Line station turnstiles will be in effect.

Taking the Canada Line to Vancouver will still cost the regular two-zone fare ($4 cash).

Notably, eventually, should you pay cash on a bus to get to the station you must pay again to enter the station as the cash tickets are not transferable (there will be a grace period for bus issued tickets, according to TransLink spokesperson Chris Bryan).

The Compass fare charged on a bus is transferrable to the Canada Line, however, and the card initially costs $6. That money will act as a reserve.

One may load up the card with a monthly pass or put cash on it, otherwise known as "stored value." The card deducts from the stored value each time you tap in or out from the machine.

Stored value fares are cheaper. For instance, that same bus ride to Delta will cost just $2.10 using the Compass (normally two zones would be $3.15).

Old Fare-Saver tickets can be transferred to the Compass as well.

One may reload a Compass card at a train station, by phone or online at CompassCard.ca and TransLink claims personal and credit card information is not stored on the card.

Ninety-minute transfer periods will remain in effect.

Should you, or a tourist, choose to return a Compass card for a refund it must be done via mail or at the Stadium SkyTrain station customer service desk.

@WestcoastWood

gwood@richmond-news.com