When Compass cards and fare gates were introduced, transit users who are unable to raise their arms found they couldn’t get through the gates without help. Photo Dan Toulgoet
Earlier today, TransLink offered a number of suggestions for its customers who typically ride the bus or SeaBus to work, as well as a credit for monthly passholders who do not use their Compass accounts during the three-day transit strike.
The transit authority notes that customers will automatically have pro-rated Stored Value credit applied to their Compass accounts. However, they might not see them right away.
"Customers won't see the credit until they tap in again," notes Ben Murphy, Senior Media Relations Advisor, TransLink. "Once they do, they'll be able to see it."
Murphy stated that customers will be credited back the value of a day's fare relative to the type of pass they purchased. For example, a one zone pass, which costs $98, would be divided by 30 days to get the per diem credit value. This value is roughly $3.27, which the customer would be automatically credited if they don't use their card.
"The credits work on a daily basis, so as soon as someone taps in, they'll be able to see the previous day's credit."
The 'complete transit shutdown' is slated to last for three days commencing Wednesday. With this in mind, Coast Mountain Bus Company and Unifor will return to the bargaining table tomorrow.
Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor’s lead negotiator, says the union is prepared to negotiate until midnight Wednesday and if no agreement is reached, a three-day strike will begin, affecting about 350,000 transit users.
