TransLink's Compass display glitch shows options for texting, music

A TransLink bus driver has discovered a glitch in the new Compass Card displays riders will use to "tap on" and "tap off" of buses. Sept. 10, 2013.

A Metro Vancouver bus driver was surprised when he saw a screen for the new Compass Card system display options to e-mail, text, and play music.

The screen had reverted to a basic Windows mobile display after a crash of the system – an unusual glitch discovered during the beta test of the new Compass Card.

“It might play a tune but it won’t take anyone’s cards,” said Nathan Woods, president of Unifor Local 111, who spotted a picture of the display snapped by the driver on the union’s Facebook page.

Normally, the Compass displays show whether a rider can “tap on” or “tap off” the system with the new Compass Card, and can update riders on their balance.

But on August 17, the screen at a rear door of a bus along route 41 stopped showing that and only showed what looked like a phone display.

It’s an unusual glitch that shows the “back end” of the operating system that runs the Compass system, Windows CE.

In that case, the mobile computer that is part of the display had crashed, and was showing a basic Windows display when it started up again, said TransLink spokesman Derek Zabel. It can be fixed with a reboot, done by a technician, he said.

“This is good feedback,” Zabel said. “As we tune up our 5,000-plus validators we may see this from time to time.”

Woods is concerned that any crashing devices could cause delays for users as they try to “tap out.”

“I don’t think the Compass Card will tap out on this,” he said. “There’s a lot of concerns.”

Zabel said crashes happen occasionally, as with any electronic system. He said that if a rider is presented with a screen they shouldn’t expect to be able to text or send e-mail – instead they should use another reader nearby.

If the rider has any concerns about not correctly “tapping out” – which can result in a greater charge under the new system – the rider can call customer service, he said.

About 10,000 riders started testing the system Monday. The system will be rolled out widely in 2014.