Huge turnout for Hello Kitty Compass Cards at Metrotown

Transit users waited in long lines to snag limited-edition Hello Kitty Compass Cards on Saturday, April 4.

There was a lineup that snaked around the block outside Metropolis at Metrotown Saturday morning as transit users hoped to get their hands on limited-edition Hello Kitty Compass Cards.

The four available card designs feature her and other iconic Sanrio characters including My Melody, Kuromi and Cinnamoroll, and come in a bundle with an exclusive luggage tag.

TransLink expected demand to be high, as it has been for other themed Compass Card offerings.

“People have been lining up all morning,” TransLink spokesperson Thor Diakow told CTV News. “We’re very grateful for everyone who comes out and support these products, and they just bring a little joy to the system.”

The plan was for any remaining cards and luggage tags to go up for sale online following the event, but just before 11 a.m. TransLink announced the line was “at capacity,” and thanked everyone for their enthusiasm.

“Stay tuned, and we hope to bring you more exciting collaborations in the future,” TransLink wrote in a social media post.

The bundles cost $44.99 each and were limited to two per person.

As of Saturday afternoon, one Hello Kitty Compass Card had already been resold on Facebook Marketplace for $100.