Compass Cards and Wearables can be loaded with the fare product of your choice including Monthly Passes, DayPasses, and Stored Value. View our fare prices.
There are two types of Compass Cards: Adult and Concession.
Adult Card
The most commonly used card — it can be loaded with pass products or Stored Value for pay-as-you-go trips.
Concession Card
Eligible for HandyCard holders, seniors 65 years and older and youth 14-18 years with valid photo identification proving age, and children 5-13 years.
Compass Wearables
All fare products can be loaded on a Compass Wristband or Mini. Both are available for purchase while supplies last at the Customer Service Centre at Stadium–Chinatown Station or West Coast Express Office at Waterfront Station. Call our Customer Information team at 604.953.3333 to find out if we currently have wearables in stock.
Compass Cards can be purchased at compasscard.ca, by phone, at retailer locations or from a Compass Vending Machine
(Adult Cards only). Visit our Where to Buy page for details and to find a location
nearest you.
$6 Refundable Card Deposit: Compass Cards cost $6, which is a refundable deposit, meaning that if you no longer need your card you can return it to us at one of our customer service locations or by mail. Visit our Refund Policy page for more information.
Loading your Card
Compass Cards can be loaded with Monthly Passes, DayPasses or Stored Value the following ways:
- Online at compasscard.ca
- At a Compass Vending Machine (CVM) located at:
- In person at the Compass Customer Service Centre at Stadium–Chinatown Station or the West Coast Express Office at Waterfront Station
- By calling 604.398.2042
Loading Multiple Products on your Compass Card
When you have multiple products on your card, passes are used first (Monthly, followed by a DayPass or a West Coast Express Return Pass), and then Stored Value if needed. It's best to load a DayPass only if you intend to use it the next time
you travel. If you want to travel on your Stored Value and a DayPass is present, the system will activate your DayPass first.
Can more than one person travel on one card?
Each traveler must have his or her own Compass Card or ticket as the system won't allow "passbacks" (meaning you can't tap in and then pass your card to the person behind you). A great feature of Compass is that you can use Compass Card
Stored Value to purchase another card or a Compass Ticket for your travel companion at any Compass Vending Machine.
Lost or Stolen Cards
If a registered card is lost or stolen, it can be permanently disabled by logging into the registered account at compasscard.ca and reporting the card as lost or stolen.
The card can be replaced by choosing the mail option (it may take up to 10 business days for the card to arrive) or by visiting a Compass Retailer or Walk-in Centre (visit the Where to Buy section for the nearest location), purchasing at a Compass Vending Machine (Adult only, Concession cards are not available at Compass Vending Machines), or calling 604.398.2042.
Balance Protection
Balance protection is exactly what it sounds like – a way to safeguard the value on your Compass Card in the event it's lost or stolen. When you report your card to Customer Service, it will be “frozen” and the balance
transferred to a new Compass Card or refunded by cheque. All registered Compass Cards receive the benefit of Balance protection. It’s one more reason (hint, hint) you should consider registering your card today.
Compass Wearables FAQ
How do the wristbands and minis work?
Just like a Compass Card. Tap in and out when travelling on transit and reload online, at a Compass Vending Machine, by phone or in person. Just like a Compass Card, you’ll pay a $6 refundable fee when you pick up your wristband and/or mini.
Remember to tap the part of the wristband that displays the contactless symbol. For minis hold it flat against the card reader. Hold both products against the reader until you hear a beep and see a check mark to proceed.
Why are wearables only available at the Compass Customer Service Centre and West Coast Express Office?
We have to encode them with a special machine before they're used for the first time and this can only be done at our two customer-service centres in Vancouver.
I have a BC Bus Pass/U-Pass BC/other program pass, can I use the Compass Wristband or Mini?
Minis and wristbands work just like Adult and Concession Compass Cards, which means you can load a U-Pass BC onto a blue adult wristband or Compass Mini. At this time, only U-Pass BC program cards can be loaded onto a Compass Wristband and Mini.
I have a small/large wrist, will the wristband fit?
The wristbands are adjustable and can accommodate small and large wrists.
Can I transfer my Compass products to a wearable?
Yes, but this can only be done at one of our customer service centres, because we need to encode the wearable before use.
Are there any other wearable Compass products coming?
We don’t have anything planned at this time. However, we’re always monitoring the availability of new products.
How do I register my new wearable?
Like a Compass Card, you can register your wearable online which gives you balance protection and the option to sign up for other features like AutoLoad or our Bike Parkade program.
Can I register the wearable and set up AutoLoad?
Just like Compass Card, you can register and sign up for AutoLoad online. This will provide you with balance protection, in case you lose your wristband or mini.
