Have a question about the Compass Card system? There's a site for that.
In an effort to clarify the cloud of confusion around the Compass Card system TransLink is readying to roll out, the transit authority recently launched a new website, askcompass.ca, to answer commonly asked questions.
"We know that Compass brings significant change for our customers, and we want to do a great job answering customer questions quickly and effectively," said Doug Kelsey, TransLink's chief operating officer, in a media release. "AskCompass.ca goes beyond our successful Facebook and Twitter tools to provide our customers with information and gives them peace of mind as they transition to the new system."
There are currently more than 192 questions posted on the site, as of the The Record’s press deadline.
"The more questions customers ask, the more answers we'll have on the site," Kelsey said in the release. "It will become a robust repository and go-to resource for our customers in the coming months and years."
Many of the questions ask how TransLink intends to enforce the system, what the costs will be and if the cards are refundable.
Since the card's proposal it has been embroiled in controversy, including the recent revelation of the project cost increasing by $23 million. The projected cost was $171 million.
TransLink defended the increase in cost, saying it was due to inflation, extra project management charges and system changes. The original budget was drafted in 2009.
The Compass Cards will be initially rolled out for West Coast Express riders in the next month. The system is expected to be fully implemented by spring 2014.
