Thousands of transit commuters have applied to be the first to try out the Compass card, which will be in use across the Lower Mainland's transit system next year.
These beta testers won't get free rides but they will be the first to tap in and out with the shiny new card that will be used to pay fares on buses and SkyTrain to see if the system is working.
"We want all types of applicants: frequent, infrequent users, people in the Tri-Cities, downtown and Burnaby and elsewhere. We want any type of ridership, we're still encouraging people to apply," said Jiana Ling, TransLink spokesperson.
But time is short because toomorrow - Friday - is the deadline for applying, and already 13,000 people have applied for 5,000 spots.
Once chosen, beta testers will get their Compass cards in the mail and will be able to use them wherever and whenever they need to, Ling explained. "This is just to test the system. We want to find out if there are any glitches before we start the system," she said.
In the second phase, a smaller number of testers will be deployed to refine the system.
It will be the fall before we know the new fare structure for the Compass cards, and for some months next year, TransLink will roll out an education system to help people make the transition. People who currently purchase monthly passes or FareSaver passes at TransLink fare dealers will be able to load up their new Compass card with funds and then use them throughout the system.
Ling said the Compass card will cost $6, which provides a three-zone trip home, but can be loaded up using credit or debit cards, or cash.
"You tap into the system with your card, the system will charge three zones, if you use only one zone, then you'll get a credit for the rest," Ling said explaining how the system will start.
Meanwhile, she isn't surprised at the number of people who have applied to beta test the new Compass card even though they still have to buy their own fare and have proof of purchase along with the card.
"They get to use this system first," she said, "It's a like a novelty thing."
For more information on being a beta tester, click here.
