Navigating Transit in Vancouver
the Eco-Voyage team answers your MOST asked questions on public transit, especially around Fares, Ticketing, and Safety
Public transit is an essential part of daily life in Vancouver, and whether you're a long-time resident or new to the city, there can be a lot to learn. In the past months, our Eco-Voyage1 team at BEST has been delivering workshops and we noticed a few common questions. Below we’ve answered some common questions we get on public transit, especially around Fares, Ticketing, and Safety.
Fare Zones
One of the most asked-about topics are public transit fares and Fare Zones. You might have interacted with these if you have ever taken the SkyTrain across Metro Vancouver, as well as the SeaBus. Let’s break down common questions:
How many fare zones are there?
There are three fare zones in Metro Vancouver. Your fare depends on how many zones you travel through.
NOTE: Any trips done by bus across the Lower Mainland are also always priced at one zone.
This means, that if you cross from Coquitlam to Burnaby on the Millenium Line, you are making a 2-zone trip, for example. A SeaBus trip across the Burrard Inlet from Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay is also a 2-zone trip. However, a SkyTrain trip along the ExpoLine from Vancouver’s Commercial Broadway Station to Scott Road in Surrey will be a 3-zone trip, and hence more expensive. Trips will be the cheapest when staying in one zone. During special hours or events, the SkyTrain and Seabus will experience ‘one-zone fare’.
When does one-zone fare apply for the SkyTrain and SeaBus?
Travel is always one zone on evenings (after 6:30 PM) and weekends regardless of whether you take the SeaBus, Canada Line, Expo Line, or Millenium Line.
If I have a one-zone monthly pass, do I get charged if I travel across other Zones?
Yes, you will be charged an additional fare for the extra zones travelled. Please keep in mind you will need to top-up your Compass Card with some extra money to ensure your card doesn’t show insufficient funds when using TransLink services across Fare Zones.
Ticketing
Where can I get a Compass Card?
Compass Cards are available at:
Compass Vending Machines at SkyTrain stations
Online through the TransLink website
Retail stores like London Drugs or Shoppers Drug Mart.
How do I load money onto a Compass Card? You can add funds:
Online at compasscard.ca
At Compass Vending Machines
Through the Compass Card app
At select London Drugs
*Find a Compass Card retailer near you using this map: https://www.compasscard.ca/FindRetailer
Can I load a Compass Card with money instead of a monthly pass?
Yes, you can add stored value and pay-as-you-go.
When do Compass Tickets expire?
A single-use Compass Ticket expires 90 minutes after the first tap-in.
Staying Safe on Transit: Tips for a Secure Commute
TransLink, the local transit authority for Metro Vancouver, has several safety features in place to help passengers feel comfortable while travelling through public transit across the region. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about how to stay safe on buses, SkyTrains, and other transit services:
Can the TransLink bus ever drop me off at a stop that isn’t part of the route? After 9 PM, passengers can ask the bus driver for a Request Stop, meaning they will be dropped off at a safe location along the route, even if it’s not a designated stop. This can only be arranged in buses which are not Express or Rapid Buses, like the 99 B-Line in Vancouver or the R1 in Surrey. Keep in mind the driver can deny your requested stop if they deem it would be in any way unsafe.
How can I ask for help when inside the SkyTrain? Speaker phones are located inside each train car near the doors. Pressing the red button allows you to communicate with alert transit staff if in need of help. If you ever feel unsafe inside a SkyTrain wagon, you can also trigger a silent alarm by pressing the yellow strip along the wagon windows. This will signal to TransLink staff you need assistance without needing to speak about the situation directly.
We hope this newsletter helped answer some of your most pressing public transit questions! What else would you like to know about public transit in Metro Vancouver?
Still have questions? Follow BEST to hear when an Eco-Voyage workshop will be happening near you.
Please support our work by becoming a BEST member! We’re grateful to our members and supporters whose generous donations help sustain our activities. If you want to continue supporting active and sustainable transportation initiatives in British Columbia, consider becoming a BEST Member.
Members receive first access to our events AND a FREE one-month membership to Mobi!
Eco–Voyage is a program designed to help newcomers in Vancouver navigate the city sustainably through workshops on multimodal transportation. Learn more about public transit, cycling, walking, and shared mobility! Supported by the City of Vancouver’s Greenest City Grant, its workshops provide practical information on moving around the city safely and sustainably.