Tri-City riders who regularly travel to Vancouver will benefit the most by TransLink's decision to get rid of multi-zone fares on buses so the Compass card to could roll out smoothly.
Only three routes in the Metro region span three zones, and two of them are in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam — the 160 bus from Port Coquitlam Station to Vancouver and the 190 from Coquitlam Station to Vancouver.
The change to one zone for buses begins Oct. 5 and will apply for the foreseeable future.
Regular riders on those routes who now pay $170 for a three-zone monthly pass will see that cost cut to $91. That $79 a month saving adds up to $948 a year.
Tri-City riders who travel two zones will see a savings as well, but those who travel in one zone, about 80% of all Metro bus riders, won't see any fare change.
People taking SkyTrain, West Coast Express or the Sea Bus will also still have to pay multi-zone fares.
Eventually TransLink hopes to move to a distance-based price structure and the Compass card system is expected to provide valuable data for its eventual roll out.
The transportation authority says it will begin activating Compass vending machines in stages at SkyTrain stations and SeaBus terminals. They'll initially sell single-use Compass tickets but actual Compass cards will be available via the machines by late October, and by November in retail outlets, walk-in centers and by mail for those ordering online or by phone.
Fare gates will stay open, however, until FareSaver tickets are used up.
Bus passengers have long paid only one-zone fares at off peak times after 7 p.m. weekdays and on weekends and holidays.
— with files from Jeff Nagel/Black Press
