New Westminster residents will have to wait a little longer for the Compass Card system rollout – around the same time flip flops and sunglasses will be out of the closet.
Despite an earlier timeline of late November for West Coast Express users and spring 2014 for a full rollout of the $194 million Compass Card system, it’s been pushed back. TransLink’s system for West Coast Express users rolls out in January 2014, and the full switch to the faregate system will be in summer 2014, according to Mike Madill, vice-president of enterprise initiatives.
“We’ve always said we’d roll it out in stages and phases,” Madill told The Record in a phone interview. “We’re going to be rolling it out in January with the B.C. government bus pass, and CNIB and some TransLink operating company employees.”
In total, by January 2014 about 80,000 people will be using Compass Cards, according to Madill. The decision was made after TransLink reviewed the move into its new phase.
“Although it’s functional, it’s not up to standard for our customers,” he added. “We needed to spend more time and improve (elements) and launch with West Coast Express in late spring.”
Madill noted that 30 per cent of Compass Card customers will already be using the system before it’s fully accessible to the general public next summer.
“We know people are excited and anxious to get the cards and enjoy all the benefits,” he said. “We know it’s so much easier. We want to take it slow and easy, and make it’s right for our customers at every step.”
TransLink recently launched its askcompass.ca website for anyone who has a question about the faregates system or the Compass Card.
