About the Project
The project revolves around the introduction of an electronic fare card (Compass Card) and, its companion feature at SkyTrain and SeaBus, faregates that work with the card to ensure only fare-paying customers are able to get on board.
TransLink's new electronic system is expected to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and security of the transit network by providing a convenient and seamless "one card" approach for customers to travel on all modes of transit.
Cubic Transportation Systems, a subsidiary of Cubic Corporation, was selected through a request for proposals process and has signed a contract with TransLink to design, install, operate and maintain the system. Cubic has experience with some of the world's largest faregate and fare card installations. Station modifications to accommodate the new system began in summer 2011, and the system is expected to be fully operational in 2013.
The contest to name TransLink's electronic fare card ended in early November, 2010. In January 2011, TransLink asked the public to vote for their favourite from three name finalists: Tpass, Compass and Starfish. The name selected by the public was Compass and was announced on March 31, 2011. Compass will become the name of the fare card when it begins operation in 2013.
Construction will be taking place at all SkyTrain stations from summer 2011 through to winter 2012 to prepare for faregates. Most Expo Line stations will begin construction in summer 2011, with Canada Line, West Coast Express and Millennium Line beginning construction in fall 2011.
The Compass card and faregate system will be operational in 2013.
| Project Timeline |
|---|
| Fall 2010 |
Card naming contest |
| Winter 2010 |
Preferred proponent selected (Cubic) |
| Winter/Spring 2011 |
Public vote for card name finalist
Card name announced
System design begins |
| Summer 2011-Winter 2012 |
Construction at stations |
| Fall/Winter 2012 |
System installation |
| Late 2012 |
Pilot project |
| 2013 |
System begins operations |
Business Case
TransLink started the electronic fare card and fare gate project process by creating a business case that considered the costs, process and benefits that the project would provide to the transit system and its users. The original version, approved by the TransLink Board in 2009, along with an updated version shared with the Board and Mayor's Council early in 2011 that includes revised numbers, industry best practices and additional insights into system design and operation, are available in our Electronic Fare Card and Fare Gate Document Library.
Of note:
- The 2011 document includes updated tables that reflect inflation and business operating efficiencies gained since the original business case was written.
- Throughout the 2009 document, there are references to public private partnerships. While the definition meets Partnerships BC's definition of a P3, the project will be funded by TransLink with support from the provincial and federal governments, meaning that the project is designed, built, operated and maintained by a private company, but not financed by one. This is similar to other arrangements we have currently, such as the arrangement with our ticket vending machines, which are maintained by a third party.
- The fixed price arrangement we've confirmed with our private contractor is considered an industry best practice; it puts the onus on the contractor to supply us with reliable equipment to minimize maintenance and repair costs.
- The Net Present Value of the capital costs differ from the project capital costs as the project capital costs represent total dollars, while the net present value accounts for the discounted value, reflecting the points in time those dollars are spent over the 15-year life of the project.