Transit riders can now tap with debit cards, TransLink says

Someone taps through a TransLink fare gate using a debit card in a provided image.

There's a new way to tap onto Metro Vancouver's transit system.

Passengers can now use Interac debit cards to board any bus, SkyTrain or SeaBus across the region without stopping at a Compass card vending machine, TransLink announced Wednesday.

"This makes transit more convenient, especially for customers who may not have easy access to a credit card," TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said at a news conference.

Transit riders can also charge trips to their debit card using a digital wallet on their smartphones.

Paying for single trips by credit card or debit card costs more than using stored value on a Compass card, Compass wristband or Compass mini train – the later of which caused a minor frenzy after being released in limited quantities last month. (LINK)

Single-zone adult fares cost $3.10 using contactless payment methods and $2.50 using stored value.

Wednesday's announcement makes Metro Vancouver's transit system the first in Canada to fully integrate contactless debit payments, according to TransLink.