[bLUEsTEEL]

All this tapping in and tapping out, not being able to use cash to ride the SkyTrain, etc., is just going to be one big headache! So during rush hour you've got 30 people getting off at the same time but each one will have to tap out first before they can get off?!?!?! WTF?!?!?! I'm sure there's also going to be a lot of overcharging too by this "flawless" system! I'm definitely going to be driving more often next year.

[Razor Ramon HG]

They have this same system in Korea.

Turnstiles at every subway station. Tap to get through. Transfers do not require a tap.

Same applies for buses and taxis. You can even use the card at vending machines.

[Jer3]

This is the system used in most developed Asian countries and it's way more efficient.

[LP700-4]

Wait you cant pay cash to board the skytrain? Thats so stupid, in HK you can pay by cash to get a little token to get past the gates, why cant they have that here?

[bLUEsTEEL]

Wait you cant pay cash to board the skytrain? Thats so stupid, in HK you can pay by cash to get a little token to get past the gates, why cant they have that here?

In Hong Kong you also don't have to tap out when you get off. Can you imagine 100 Hong Kongers all at once having to tap out when they got off the bus, I think there'd be a revolt. Translink needs to get rid of their fair zones if they want this Compass card thing to work. All the Asian developed countries don't have fair zones, then again all of their transit systems are way more efficient than Translink.

[SupraTTturbo2jz]

fuck translink, i rather walk or bike

[inv4zn]

How about you start complaining once you actually experience this inconvenience?

[Jer3]

In Hong Kong you also don't have to tap out when you get off. Can you imagine 100 Hong Kongers all at once having to tap out when they got off the bus, I think there'd be a revolt. Translink needs to get rid of their fair zones if they want this Compass card thing to work. All the Asian developed countries don't have fair zones, then again all of their transit systems are way more efficient than Translink.

They do it in Singapore and Japan and it works fine. Stop whining.

[bLUEsTEEL]

They do it in Singapore and Japan and it works fine. Stop whining.

Yes, it does work fine in Singapore and Japan but then again those are different cultures.

[inv4zn]

So you're saying the act of swiping a card when entering and exiting a public transportation system is directly related to culture? :fulloffuck:

Seriously, stop bitching about things that haven't occurred yet.

[Lomac]

Yes, it does work fine in Singapore and Japan but then again those are different cultures.

So how is our culture different?

And you seriously think that tapping a card to enter a bus is going to be slower than the existing system?

:badpokerface:

[bLUEsTEEL]

How about you start complaining once you actually experience this inconvenience?

Why wait for something that you know is going to happen? :jiggy:

[MindBomber]

Wait you cant pay cash to board the skytrain? Thats so stupid, in HK you can pay by cash to get a little token to get past the gates, why cant they have that here?

Q: Will I still be able to pay for fares in cash or by credit/debit card?
A: Yes. Compass vending machines will allow you to purchase a Compass card, ticket, or load products or stored value onto your Compass card using cash or a credit or debit card. Cash will also be accepted on buses. You'll also be able to buy or reload your Compass card online, over the phone or at a customer service centre.

[bLUEsTEEL]

So how is our culture different?

And you seriously think that tapping a card to enter a bus is going to be slower than the existing system?

:badpokerface:

Cultural Differences, Japan, Canada (http://2vancouver.com/en/articles/cultural-differences-between-canada-japan)

[Lomac]

Cultural Differences, Japan, Canada (http://2vancouver.com/en/articles/cultural-differences-between-canada-japan)

:facepalm:

Way to miss the point.

[StylinRed]

translinks implementing an Octopus card? neat

[bLUEsTEEL]

Q: Will I still be able to pay for fares in cash or by credit/debit card?
A: Yes. Compass vending machines will allow you to purchase a Compass card, ticket, or load products or stored value onto your Compass card using cash or a credit or debit card. Cash will also be accepted on buses. You'll also be able to buy or reload your Compass card online, over the phone or at a customer service centre. (http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Compass-Card/FAQs.aspx
)

"Paying Direct with Cash
Customers will still be able to pay by cash for all transit trips. For bus trips, people paying by cash will be issued a paper "proof of payment" ticket. These "proof of payment" paper receipts are good for transfers between buses; however, they will not provide access through faregates. Because of this, we strongly promote the use of Compass cards containing a minimal stored value as a more flexible alternative for anyone making even occasional multi-modal trips."
How to Use Your Compass (http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Compass-Card/How-to-Use-Your-Compass.aspx)

The faregates are the gates that will be at all of the SkyTrain stations which means that if you pay by cash on the bus and then want to transfer to the SkyTrain then your're not going to be able to get past the gates.

[Obsideon]

They already have this system established in most advanced Asian cities, think of Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan. ALL of the mentioned cities have much more crowded populations than Vancouver (think of ... say Vancouver HSBC Fireworks night, but EVERY FREAKIN' MORNING), yet they seem to be able to get around this "inconvenience" just fine.

[cocojoe]

They already have this system established in most advanced Asian cities, think of Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan. ALL of the mentioned cities have much more crowded populations than Vancouver (think of ... say Vancouver HSBC Fireworks night, but EVERY FREAKIN' MORNING), yet they seem to be able to get around this "inconvenience" just fine.

I think they don't have a problem with this type of system because for the most part they are pretty orderly and abide by the laws and the rules. Once you throw that out of whack I think it then becomes a problem. I am sure you know how popular it is for people to get free rides here in Vancouver. Just today I saw 5 people get on the bus for free.

[Lomac]

I think they don't have a problem with this type of system because for the most part they are pretty orderly and abide by the laws and the rules. Once you throw that out of whack I think it then becomes a problem. I am sure you know how popular it is for people to get free rides here in Vancouver. Just today I saw 5 people get on the bus for free.

Did you really just switch to a different account instead of sticking with the one you posted with?

Way to stand by your convictions, bro.

:moderatorban:

[falcon]

London, Paris, and a lot of other major cities use cards like this and all I can say is IT'S ABOUT FREAKING TIME. Here's hoping they will charge from station to station like in London. You'll save a ton if you're a frequent rider who only goes a few stops. No need to "tap out" of a bus unless you actually want to take advantage of the fare savings. And it REALLY is not that inconvenient. Serious, RS'rs really need to travel more... lol

As for "30 people getting off at the same time"... if I could get through a line of 100+ people at say London Bridge station during rush hour in about 30 seconds I'm sure our minor rush hour here will be just fine.

[CRS]

Did you really just switch to a different account instead of sticking with the one you posted with?

Way to stand by your convictions, bro.

:moderatorban:

:badpokerface:

Using the same IP address too. Noob move, man. noob move.

[Ikkaku]

I guess I can see it being really shitty if you didn't bring your card with you, and you're forced to pay by cash on the bus to receive the ticket. And then if you needed to take the skytrain, you're forced to pay again or get denied entry because those faregates (according to the OP) does not accept physical tickets.

I just hope the system is well integrated like the octo. But then again, I didn't experience the timeframe of when they first implemented the system, so I wouldn't know the trials and errors they experienced.

[Verdasco]

it was neat in HK, never have i witnessed a line up. Octopus sounds cooler/better than compass over any day...

[CRS]

it was neat in HK, never have i witnessed a line up. Octopus sounds cooler/better than compass over any day...

Octopus = HK
Oyster = London

I was hoping we would name it the Orca card.

[Graeme S]

Octopus = HK
Otter = London

I was hoping we would name it the Orca card.
Oyster in London.

[Razor Ramon HG]

I think one major benefit of the new compass card is that those living close to zone borders no longer have to pay extra.

[StylinRed]

i actually think Compass is better than octopus or oyster

[bing]

.

[DragonChi]

.... :seriously:

You can't swoosh a card to get onto transit?

Lord help you when you face real life bro. You're Fucked.

[FerrariEnzo]

just give translink sometime... you cant get a perfect system over night...

[Gridlock]

Wow. Sample dialogue in the discussion of these cards.

"Gawwwwd...why can't translink be decent and have a transit card like they do in ASIA where everything is infinitely better than anything here. Stupid Translink"

"and in other news, Translink has announced the Orca card, mimicing the systems used in Asia to make for a more efficient transportation system..."

"Gawwwwd...you are going to have to tap in AND out of the the transportation system. Stupid Translink."

I'm down with bashing Translink in anyway you want...but you've got to give them some type of leeway to at least fuck up first, THEN bash.

[JesseBlue]

i wonder who's actually a translink user here or someone who just says, this is similar to hk/london's system so it must be good....

personally, i like the current system including its flaws...i walk to the train, run up the stairs to the platform, get off the train to the bus stop and hop on again....those extra 10-15 seconds are at time very important to me as i see my bus leaves too early than the suggested time and seeing it move away from the station bites...

oh well...i'll still be paying more next month which still saves me a lot versus gas/insurance...

[kunoman1]

Does that Mean the upass will be built into the compass card?
Posted via RS Mobile

[Graeme S]

I was a regular transit user, and am now a casual user. I've lived in Vancouver my whole life, but spent a chunk of time in Korea, part of it in and around Seoul where they use the T-pass which is a system nearly identical to the new compass card.

If you'll look at the faregates, the gates themselves are actually about a pace and a half ahead of where your beep your card; the reason for this is so that there is no delay or waiting or anything of the sort. You beep as you walk up to it, and the gate opens ahead and swings closed just as you walk past.

When it comes to getting on busses, instead of flashing your pass to the driver, you just beep it against the console--it takes no longer than it did before, and if someone doesn't have enough money, then it's the same as when a driver busts someone for having a one-zone transfer on a two-zone bus ("Excuse me? You need to pay another..."). Delays will happen regardless, and the efficiency of this is great.


The only part that does mildly concern me, though, is the beeping off. The release said that when you get on the bus but you don't beep off, they'll charge you three zones. I'm hoping this was a misprint or an incorrect publication and that they'll charge you "for the maximum number of zones you travel through"; so the 135 would charge you for two zones unless you beep off in a single zone or somesuch. We'll see, testing begins in another couple months, and full implementation doesn't happen until Fall 2013. Plenty of time to work out the kinks.


My guess is that University students will either get a special compass card, or there will be a 'university charge station', where the upass 3-zone thingie is loaded onto your/any Compass card. Though it wouldn't surprise me either to see a new Upass/Student ID integrated card (since the deal with upasses is that you need to have photo student ID with you).

We'll see. I'm definitely looking forward to it.

[gars]

I was a regular transit user, and am now a casual user. I've lived in Vancouver my whole life, but spent a chunk of time in Korea, part of it in and around Seoul where they use the T-pass which is a system nearly identical to the new compass card.

If you'll look at the faregates, the gates themselves are actually about a pace and a half ahead of where your beep your card; the reason for this is so that there is no delay or waiting or anything of the sort. You beep as you walk up to it, and the gate opens ahead and swings closed just as you walk past.

When it comes to getting on busses, instead of flashing your pass to the driver, you just beep it against the console--it takes no longer than it did before, and if someone doesn't have enough money, then it's the same as when a driver busts someone for having a one-zone transfer on a two-zone bus ("Excuse me? You need to pay another..."). Delays will happen regardless, and the efficiency of this is great.


The only part that does mildly concern me, though, is the beeping off. The release said that when you get on the bus but you don't beep off, they'll charge you three zones. I'm hoping this was a misprint or an incorrect publication and that they'll charge you "for the maximum number of zones you travel through"; so the 135 would charge you for two zones unless you beep off in a single zone or somesuch. We'll see, testing begins in another couple months, and full implementation doesn't happen until Fall 2013. Plenty of time to work out the kinks.


My guess is that University students will either get a special compass card, or there will be a 'university charge station', where the upass 3-zone thingie is loaded onto your/any Compass card. Though it wouldn't surprise me either to see a new Upass/Student ID integrated card (since the deal with upasses is that you need to have photo student ID with you).

We'll see. I'm definitely looking forward to it.

London had that same issue (minus the buses where you don't have to tap out because Buses are all considered "one zone" but with zero transfers allowed)

Sometimes there are stations where you can actually exit without any fare gates - but you still have to tap out. If you don't tap out - they will just charge you the maximum number of zones possible (up to 7 i think?). But if you did it accidentally (it happens) - next time you tap in, there's a special beep to let you know that you didn't tap out. You just go to the counter and let them know and they'll adjust it for you. Not sure how it will work here though.

The transit police there sometimes will just hop on buses and trains to check to make sure people have tapped in (there are many stations that are unmanned and it's easy to hop the gates). They also check for student IDs, because there are student oysters - and they will match your name with your ID, so you can't be caught using other people's cards.

[BrRsn]

http://www.zoneshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/no-fags-today.jpg

[yray]

Coming soon to Translink: compass chip integration in your penis so you can tap that shit all day every day.

Disclaimer: Surgery will not be responsible for any type of penis deformation or mishap. Small penises need not apply as length will not be suitable for tap in/tap out. Penis may fall off do to cancer, chances of happening are 5/1. Translink holds no liability to disease orpenis problems associated with compass chip .

[falcon]

Octopus = HK
Otter = London

I was hoping we would name it the Orca card.

IIRC London is the Oyster card.... :badpokerface:

I was only there for two weeks and you could "rent" one through the machine for $20. Based on the hostel I stayed at (in Greenwich) it was way cheaper travelling around London with the Oyster for two weeks than buy a ticket every time I went somewhere. At the end of the two weeks I returned the card and received my $20 back.

There were also Oyster only turnstiles (if you can call them that since they are just flapper doors) so you could bypass the line for people that just bought a regular ticket. One of the other neat things was the mag stripe on the regular tickets was right down the middle. So you could insert the card in any way/shape/form and it would go through and read. Rather than having to figure out which way the stripe is supposed to go.

[falcon]

i wonder who's actually a translink user here or someone who just says, this is similar to hk/london's system so it must be good....

personally, i like the current system including its flaws...i walk to the train, run up the stairs to the platform, get off the train to the bus stop and hop on again....those extra 10-15 seconds are at time very important to me as i see my bus leaves too early than the suggested time and seeing it move away from the station bites...

oh well...i'll still be paying more next month which still saves me a lot versus gas/insurance...

So wouldn't you prefer to just tap a card rather than have to validate a prepaid or wait in line for a ticket machine? Or are you reffering to the fact that this is what you are already doing (if so, I didn't realize the Compass cards were already in effect).

[twitchyzero]

Does that Mean the upass will be built into the compass card?
Posted via RS Mobile

i read while back saying so
I'd imagine that helps with loss prevention as well

Compass Card will likely be supporting NFC so it shouldn't be so inconvenient tapping out (unless you own iPhone :troll:)..I mean 90% of the bus transit riders pretty much have their phone out at all times.

[Manic!]

We just got chip and pin at our pumps and a number of customers have had problems. Why? Because people don't read and are use to the old system. This mostly has to do with older people but it happens with younger people too. Had a couple of customers leave without getting gas. Compass pass may be easier and faster but there will still be a few people that will complain.

[Graeme S]

We just got chip and pin at our pumps and a number of customers have had problems. Why? Because people don't read and are use to the old system. This mostly has to do with older people but it happens with younger people too. Had a couple of customers leave without getting gas. Compass pass may be easier and faster but there will still be a few people that will complain.
People are gonna complain no matter what. I like the new system.

One: more efficient. No longer requires drivers to inspect each pass (or not) or have people tear out the tickets when getting on the bus/skytrain
Two: less fraud. Electronic systems are of course, imperfect, but are more difficult to defraud than printed paper tickets and passes
Three: better information. Currently, translink makes decisions simply based on bus capacity. Once Translink can trace travelers and routes (obviously anonymously but at least in terms of get-on-get-off frequencies) it'll make for better more efficient busses. Ever had one of those "I see the same 15 people get on this bus and transfer to another, why don't they have an express bus" moments? Well maybe they will after the compass.
Four: FUCKING FAREGATES AT THE SKYTRAIN.

[geeknerd]

IMO anyone who doesnt have experience with both vancouver and asian commute systems should not comment on the pros and cons of this system.

People mentioning tapping out as problems, its not. Would you seriously be dumb enough to wait until the door opens before you take out the card and tap it? Also, as in Korea, if you know there is no more zones to cross, many people tap out wayyyyyyy before their actual stop. Also the machines can read the cards without you having to take it out of wallet/bag (unless there is another NFC card that will confuse the machine)

As for the no cash thing, in Korea, they have temporary cards where you pay an extra 50cent deposit and it is returned when you return the temp card to a machine. Im sure this would be implemented somehow on buses and stations. But people who use it often enough will probably have a card anyways.


Its also going to be awesome if they can manage to connect these cards to a credit card instead of pre-paid. Im sure translink will slowly evolve into an almost exact replica of asian systems. In Korea, these pre-paid cards can be used at convenience stores, taxis, and other misc places. (basically paypass)

And as for faregates, it differs from stations, the busiest stations have an opened faregate and the blocker only activates when the card is not swiped/read. Not to mention that there are more than 1 gate . I hope translink isnt stupid enough to build like only 1-3.

etc etc.

And to be 'devils advocate', these improvements are for the daily commuters and heavy users and im sure those people can surely see that the benefits of this system outweigh the inconveniences. If you are an occasional user; suck it.

and to add to point, if you ever had to go and find change/break a bill for a bus, that alone should be a good enough reason to support this. If you know there is a chance you will be transiting even once a year, you should buy a 10$ card and keep it in your wallet.

[Akinari]

To all the people in this thread trying to make a point about the Compass Card, you do realize that you're debating about a system that hasn't even been brought into service? Why don't we all sit pretty and wait for the service to actually go live before we start shooting off meaningless crap in all different directions?

You guys are hilarious.

[Graeme S]

Yep! But this is the internet.



What else are we gonna do?

[Akinari]

Yep! But this is the internet.



What else are we gonna do?
Oh, I could give you a list of things we could do :ifyouknow:

[JesseBlue]

So wouldn't you prefer to just tap a card rather than have to validate a prepaid or wait in line for a ticket machine? Or are you reffering to the fact that this is what you are already doing (if so, I didn't realize the Compass cards were already in effect).
i don't validate anything...i have a monthly pass

[geeknerd]

To all the people in this thread trying to make a point about the Compass Card, you do realize that you're debating about a system that hasn't even been brought into service? Why don't we all sit pretty and wait for the service to actually go live before we start shooting off meaningless crap in all different directions?

You guys are hilarious.

Though it hasnt been implemented yet, some of us have experienced such a system and can at least make comparison comments.

[theevilslave]

If London's Oyster can handle their legit busy rush hours, I'm pretty sure this will be fine. I think Compass is mainly going to be implemented to stop skytrain hoppers. Honestly, I used to be one but I got ticketed once :okay:, and never since. You can't have cops there checking tickets in every station all the time so this would be a more efficient way.

And if someone was curious about the student thing, apparently you have to top up the card beginning of every month, just like how you get a new card now. Guess we get a special compass card?

[Gt-R R34]

I've been to London, the only downside to their oyster card system, is that it's not "strong enough" as in if you have a thick ass wallet, full of junk like my friend. He had to take it out everyime to use it.

VS. HKG where no matter how much shit you had in your wallet it still work.

[c3m]

OP

The key point is people need to get ready for the gate and not stand in front of the gate to look for their wallet or card. Just like how people waiting for the bus all take out their tickets / passes as they see a bus arriving at the stop.

HK System
Octopus Card Exit gate at Admiralty MTR station in Hong Kong - YouTube

Japanese System
日本ã�®é§…ã�®ã�™ã�”ã�„自動改æœ$ Japanese Smart Train Automatic ticket gate - YouTube
Buying Coffee with your Japanese train card - YouTube

It may initially take longer when people first use it and don't know what's going on. Vancouver being a city with people from all around the world, I am sure that many regular commuters have used one form or another in other countries

[falcon]

Yeah, ^^ It's the same in London. The card is quick and the paper ones are almost as quick in that you can insert them any direction and they pop up just like that as you walk past the gate and you grab it...


Now, here's one issue I see. Unless Translink is going to have kiosks at EVERY gated crossing this will end up being moslty useless. You can't hop the gates in London because there is security and such right there. If they are unmanned here it will be useless.

In Paris they had metal full door turnstiles and in Barcelona a mix of both. I saw people hopping all the time in Spain.

They better make it easy to transfer trains without having to scan in/out.

[TheKingdom2000]

This may be a good time to apply for a job at Translink since they will probably need a lot of customer service help.
My friend works for Translink and she just walks around as a translink presence and she gets paid $25/hour.

So for those who want a stable job and benefits i'd think about applying for a job.

[Alby]

on top of previous poster, apply at pro trans. they are the canada line attendants and i bet they will need a lot more help when the new system is up and running. i heard they get paid about 27 to 28$ an hour.

[MandarinOrange7]

We have the gate system in Kaohsiung, and I've never had to wait in line for more than 7 secs to get out of the gate right after the train unloaded everyone during rush hours.

[pimpcorolla]

I think the faregates is long overdue in Vancouver. When the Canada Line open, they should have implemented the faregates at that time.

The only concerns with the faregates is that there isn't enough faregates at each station. There is like 3-5 gates at some stations. How is it going to handle the flow of traffic when you have a bunch of ppl entering or exiting the station? I'm expecting a bottleneck at the faregates.

[bing]

It's about time we got a system like this, Canada seems to be so slow at implementing things. For the skeptics, its very quick to scan in and out. This system has already been successfully implemented in cities such as Hong Kong that have much larger populations than Vancouver (~7-8 million) with a majority that is dependent on public transportation (in 2003 around 14% of households were private vehicle owners). Many people can keep the card in their wallets and scan the whole wallet without removing the card. The cards can also be attached to the back of cellphones.

I'm actually in HK right now and I fully expect that once this system is implemented here, the cards will be slowly expanded to be used to pay for parking and at selected commercial/retail establishments (also it is quicker and faster than using a credit card), which will possibly generate some much needed additional revenue for Translink.

[drunkrussian]

tapping out in hk doesnt clog anything and the system overall is way better, op is wrong
Posted via RS Mobile

[Alby]

from what i've been told, faregates only came to be because of all the fare evasion. if the attendants are doing their job properly and are actually on location instead of napping in their little offices or dicking around, the faregate system wouldn't be needed. money could have been better spent elsewhere.

[optiblue]

they seriously need to get rid of the fare zones and charge based on distance traveled!
Posted via RS Mobile

[ziggyx]

^ I think that was the whole point of the compass cards (to eventually phase out fare zones and charge based on distance) but I'm not entirely sure. It does mention on translink's FAQ section that there is a possibility of distance based fares in the future.

I always thought how it was unfair for someone to travel from joyce station to metrotown station by skytrain for instance has to pay more than someone traveling from joyce station to say downtown waterfront for example.

[anti_rice]

Translink is about 7 years behind in technology. Things will slowly happen like charging distance travel versus the current zone system. Compass card is a good start considering what we currently have. But look at it this way, translink is ahead of BC Transit when it comes to technology.

[Graeme S]

"Behind" is a relative term. While there are lots of metropolises which love to be on the cutting edge, I'd rather Translink take its time figuring out which technologies and methodologies would be most useful and helpful for it.

It's my understanding that Translink will use the trip information recorded from beeping on and off to reprioritize routes and potentially look into the different methods of charging. One of the difficulties of changing the charging methods is making sure that it doesn't increase costs for the people who need transit to travel long distances, and making sure that they don't lose money. Personally, I'd hope for a two-tier charging system similar to New York's with express vs community busses. The 9 vs the 99, where the 9 would be cheaper because it runs all those shitty tiny stops.

[Tim Budong]

why the fuck is this even an argument...
Out of ALL THE THINGS Translink has done, this is the ONLY thing I agree with

The Octopus card is so damn convenient. I use it to buy shit and get around hong kong.
Its basically a prepaid credit card

[rsx]

how the fuck the translink attendants get paid $27 is beyond me. They just stand there with their green jackets and don't do anything. That's more of a $10/hr gig. Yes you have a walkie, but come on. Machines and metal gates have been doing their job for years!

Hope they install proper turnstiles and gates. Customer service on how to use a card could just be played on a LCD monitor.

[Tim Budong]

how the fuck the translink attendants get paid $27 is beyond me. They just stand there with their green jackets and don't do anything. That's more of a $10/hr gig. Yes you have a walkie, but come on. Machines and metal gates have been doing their job for years!

Hope they install proper turnstiles and gates. Customer service on how to use a card could just be played on a LCD monitor.

unions

[MindBomber]

how the fuck the translink attendants get paid $27 is beyond me. They just stand there with their green jackets and don't do anything. That's more of a $10/hr gig. Yes you have a walkie, but come on. Machines and metal gates have been doing their job for years!

Hope they install proper turnstiles and gates. Customer service on how to use a card could just be played on a LCD monitor.

I wouldn't put much thought into the suggested wage of a Translink Attendant unless an official figure could be provided confirming it, all that's been offered is highly unreliable conjecture. The entry level wage of a Bus Driver is only $19; given that, I imagine an attendant would not start higher than $14-17, on call, minimal benefits, and owing union dues.

[death_blossom]

a lot of these naysayers probably haven't used these card systems elsewhere in the world.

I own an Octopus card for HK, T-Money card for Korea, and PASMO card for Japan. they're awesome systems, and it's about darned time we get something similar here for the lower mainland.

I'm quite certain Translink will still be selling one-way pass tickets at the Skytrain stations, we already have the ticket booths there. the turn styles will probably be able to scan transfers and stuff. Translink will most likely review, and copy the best systems from around the world. I'm sure they'll have plenty of "turn styles" to ensure smooth entry/exit out of skytrain stations.


In Hong Kong you also don't have to tap out when you get off. Can you imagine 100 Hong Kongers all at once having to tap out when they got off the bus, I think there'd be a revolt. Translink needs to get rid of their fair zones if they want this Compass card thing to work. All the Asian developed countries don't have fair zones, then again all of their transit systems are way more efficient than Translink.I'm sure you know you need to tap out to exit an MTR station. but I agree, that tapping out to exit a bus would be a hassle. Translink should adopt a single ride payment system like in Asia, compared to the time-sensitive "transfer" system we have. this would cancel the need to tap out when exiting a bus. it would also make fares cheaper per trip, allowing more ridership of public transportation.

[Alby]

I wouldn't put much thought into the suggested wage of a Translink Attendant unless an actual figure could be provided confirming it, all that's been offered is highly unreliable conjecture. The entry level wage of a Bus Driver is only $19; given that, I imagine an attendant would not start higher than $14-17, on call, minimal benefits, and owing union dues.

skytrain attendants make about 27$ an hour while the canada line attendants make 29$ an hour. how they get paid that much is beyond my comprehension. however, they are the first people on the scene when there is a jumper on the tracks and they are the ones to deal with it.

[MindBomber]

Wages of Skytrain employees, as of 2009, can be found between pages 142-146.

http://www.lrb.bc.ca/cas/WTD5.pdf.

Attendants earn $28.71/hour, Machinists, Heavy Duty Mechanics, and other tradespeople only earn $33.81.

Attendants are clearly severely overpaid, at the minimum $10/hour above private market wages for comparable positions.

Tradespeople are earning below private market wages for comparable positions though, an experienced Machinist would normally earn $35-45+.

I'm not sure what to make of this. It doesn't make any sense.

[melloman]

^^ Sounds like Translink.. Lets not forget, most stuff they do doesn't make a whole lot of sense. :D

[GLOW]

Wages of Skytrain employees, as of 2009, can be found between pages 142-146.

http://www.lrb.bc.ca/cas/WTD5.pdf.

Attendants earn $28.71/hour, Machinists, Heavy Duty Mechanics, and other tradespeople only earn $33.81.

Attendants are clearly severely overpaid, at the minimum $10/hour above private market wages for comparable positions.

Tradespeople are earning below private market wages for comparable positions though, an experienced Machinist would normally earn $35-45+.

I'm not sure what to make of this. It doesn't make any sense.

i know what to make out of this...anger :devil:

:lawl:

[Tim Budong]

I dont care what or how much translink pays their staff.
Life isn't fair, translink sucks. All we can do is bitch and bitch and BITCH some more.

the OP needs to think

NO FAREGATES were the issue, and now you bitch at having faregates

[UFO]

One of the difficulties of changing the charging methods is making sure that it doesn't increase costs for the people who need transit to travel long distances, and making sure that they don't lose money.

This, it's a pretty delicate balance. It currently costs $5.50 to travel one way from Surrey to Downtown via the zone system, which we can presume is partially 'subsidized' by those who travel shorter distances but have to cross zone boundaries. Charging riders a more true cost based on distance may encourage some to get back into their cars.

Riders generally have to give up increased comfort, convenience, and time in exchange for saving some money taking transit. If the savings are not worthwhile for the tradeoffs, then riders will be more enticed to take their cars out instead especially if roadways become more efficient.

[Nlkko]

Of course the wage makes sense. They are unionized...... Most unionized jobs pay like that.

Entry level staffs get paid the same as the average joe. But when you get full benefits (after a year or something), you get a fat flat rate, doesn't matter what you do. The wage stays the same for the rest of your life though, unless you move into senior mgmt positions.

I worked in a brewery before in a non-union position....

[flagella]

Took them long enough to finally do this.

[bLUEsTEEL]

Translink defends Compass Card program amid furor from riders (http://www.theprovince.com/news/Translink+defends+Compass+Card+program+amid+furor+ from+riders/8790344/story.html)

[willystyle]

I can't believe there's an argument about this. It's retarded.

[bLUEsTEEL]

Translink petition to stop ?double charge? with cash payments: overblown much? | Vancity Buzz | Vancouver Events, News, Food, Lifestyle and More (http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2013/08/translink-petition-to-stop-double-charge/)

[Lomac]

Post in here:

http://www.revscene.net/forums/687282-skytrain-wont-take-bus-transfers-new-compass-card-system.html