Transit for New Riders
Welcome to riding transit! We’re excited to have you on board. Whether you’re planning to take the bus, the SkyTrain, or the SeaBus, or the West Coast Express, TransLink will be here to support you every step of the way. This page will provide you with all the information you’ll need to take transit with confidence. Still have questions? Just ask! Friendly staff are here to help so you can enjoy the ride and explore your city with us.
Additional languages
Have Questions?
Contact Customer Information Services at 604.953.3333
Phone Operating Hours
6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days per week.
We can help you over the phone in more than 300 languages! Just tell the agent your preferred language, and a certified translator will be added to the call.
Share Your Thoughts
Please tell us what you think about this webpage! Your feedback will help us improve the content on this page for your fellow riders.
Preparing for Your First Trip
1. Plan your trip
Use trip planning tools such as Trip Planner to map out your route(s). Consider travel time, walking distances, transfer points, and other modes.
2. Check fares
Familiarize yourself with fare zones and the different ways to pay for transit, such as cash, Compass card, or credit or debit card, and choose the one that’s best for you.
Customers can save costs by purchasing a Compass Card and loading either passes or stored value. For convenience, you can also tap your contactless debit or credit card at faregates and Compass readers.
3. Arrive early and find your stop
Give yourself time to arrive before your scheduled departure time. Find your nearest stop, SkyTrain station, SeaBus terminal or West Coast Express station and check signs to make sure you’re in the right place.
4. Stay informed
Check Alerts for service disruptions and Next Bus for updated information on when your bus should arrive.
5. Be prepared
Bring any necessary items for your journey such as a map, water and food, and weather-appropriate clothing. Think about any safety and accessibility considerations.
6. Boarding and riding
When the bus, train, or ferry (SeaBus) arrives, wait for passengers to disembark before boarding. Once onboard, find a seat or hold onto a handrail for stability. Be courteous to other riders and offer a seat to those who require priority seating such as the elderly, those with disabilities, and people travelling with babies.
7. Ending your journey
The SkyTrain stops at each station on the route and will announce which station it is approaching. The next station and terminus station is displayed at the front of the train. On the bus, customers will need to request the bus to stop at the next stop by pulling on the yellow cord or hitting one of the red buttons on a nearby pole. Before you exit, make sure you have all of your belongings.
How to Plan for Your Trip on Transit
Trip Planner
Use the Trip Planner to find out how to get to your destination.
Alerts
Pay attention to any alerts along your trip. Or you can sign up to receive alerts by email or text message.
NextBus
Next Bus is a quick way to look up departure times for a specific bus stop and bus route.
Next Bus SMS
You can also text the bus stop number, and bus route number to 33333 and we’ll send you the next two departure times. Make sure you leave a space between the bus stop and route number (e.g., 60980 99) or for a maximum of two routes (e.g., 60980 99 9).
(Note: standard carrier text messaging rates may apply)
How to Pay on Transit
The fare you pay is based on your age and the number of zones you want to travel.
-
There are two fare types: Adult and Concession. Concession fares offer a reduced price for eligible riders, such as youth and seniors.
-
Children 12 and under ride for free.
-
Always tap when riding transit to have your fare calculated correctly and have a valid proof of payment. Tap your card or ticket on the blue validator when entering buses and at the gates when entering and exiting SkyTrain stations or SeaBus terminals.
-
Not paying your fare, or using a fare product that you are not eligible for, could result in a $173 fine. Visit our Fare Enforcement page to learn more.
-
For contactless payment cards, single-use tickets, and Compass Cards, you have 90 minutes to transfer across buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus within the number of zones paid for. Your trip will start the first time you tap your ticket or card on a blue validator.
-
If you pay with cash on the bus, you will get a bus transfer ticket that can only be used to travel on buses. You cannot use a bus transfer ticket to travel on SkyTrain, SeaBus, or West Coast Express. Exact change required.
-
When tapping, remove the card from your wallet so other payment cards aren’t unintentionally charged.
Concession Fares Eligibility
Passengers who are eligible to our reduced concession fares include:
- HandyCard holders
- seniors 65 and older*
- youth 13 to 18 years*
*Must present valid photo ID proving age
Compass Card
-
Buy a reloadable Compass Card and pay less on your adult fare.
-
A $6 refundable deposit is required.
-
Load your card with $5 or more.
Contactless Payment Cards
-
Tap your contactless Interac® debit, American Express®, Mastercard®, Visa® credit, or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay) at the fare gates or onboard the bus for a single traveller.
-
Adult fare only. Concession fare is not available when paying with contactless debit or credit.
Single-Use ticket
-
Buy a single-use Compass ticket at the Compass Vending Machine.
-
Valid on date of purchase only.
DayPass ticket
-
Save money if you use transit multiple times in one day.
-
Purchase a DayPass Ticket for unlimited same-day trips on bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus until the end of service day.
-
DayPass tickets are not valid on West Coast Express.
-
Reduced concession fares available.
Monthly Passes
-
Adult Monthly Passes provide unlimited travel on SkyTrain and SeaBus for the number of zones purchased.
-
Adult Monthly Passes are sold for 1-, 2-, or 3-Zone travel.
-
Concession Monthly Passes are a 3-Zone.
-
All Monthly Passes offer unlimited travel on buses at any time.
-
All Monthly Passes offer unlimited travel across all zones on weekends, holidays, and after 6:30 p.m. on weekday evenings across all modes.
-
Passes for West Coast Express must be purchased separately as they are priced differently.
Where to Buy
Purchase Compass Cards from these authorized sources only: online at compasscard.ca, by calling 604.398.2042, at Compass Vending Machines at SkyTrain and West Coast Express stations, SeaBus terminals, Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay ferry terminals, in-person at our TransLink Customer Service Centre located at Waterfront Station, or at authorized Compass Retailers and select London Drug stores.
Compass Vending Machines accept cash (coins and bills up to $20), debit, and credit cards.
Purchase Concession Compass Cards from the same sources, except at Compass Vending Machines.
Purchase DayPasses tickets at Compass Vending Machines, TransLink Customer Service Centre, and Compass Retailers.
Purchase single use tickets at Compass Vending Machines and TransLink Customer Service Centre.
For more details on where to buy and reload your card visit: translink.ca/wheretobuy
Fare Zones
What are fare zones?
There are three fare zones across Metro Vancouver. The number of SeaBus and/or SkyTrain boundaries you cross during your trip determine your fare.
See Pricing and Fare Zones for more details.
How do zones work?
-
All bus, community shuttle, and HandyDART trips are a 1-Zone fare at all times.
-
SkyTrain and SeaBus fares can vary between a 1 and 3-Zone fare, depending on the number of boundaries you cross. SeaBus alone requires a 2-Zone-fare.
-
Exception: after 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and anytime on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, all journeys across the system are a 1-Zone fare.
-
A single fare is valid for 90 minutes on bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and HandyDART within the number of zones paid for.
-
West Coast Express Fares is priced differently.
What to Expect
TransLink is pleased to provide one of the most accessible transit systems in Canada, offering a variety of accessible features and services for customers with all abilities. Follow these video guides to learn how to travel on our accessible transit system in Metro Vancouver.
Etiquette on Transit
Taking simple actions while sharing space on transit, like giving priority seats to those who need it and removing backpacks and large bags to make room for other passengers as they board and exit, can make the trip more pleasant for everyone.
For more tips, visit the Etiquette on Transit page.
TransLink Mobility Guide Training Videos
Traveling on transit in Metro Vancouver is easy, follow these mobility guides to learn more.
Training videos are available in English with American Sign Language (ASL), Described Video, Cantonese, French, Mandarin, and Punjabi.
English with ASL
Compass Cards and Tickets
View this video in English Described Video
Traveling on a Bus
View this video in English Described Video
HandyCard
View this video in English Described Video
Traveling on SkyTrain
View this video in English Described Video
SeaBus overview
West Coast Express
Trip planning
3D Virtual Bus Tour
We're committed to making transit easy to use for people of all ages and abilities.
In partnership with AutismBC and Beckett 3D Studio, we created a new online tool to help individuals with autism feel more confident when travelling on Metro Vancouver buses.
Use our virtual bus tool to tour a 3D TransLink bus at your own pace via a desktop computer or mobile device.
Customer Assistance and Safety
When using public transit, please stay aware of your surroundings. Report any unusual behaviour or incidents to a uniformed transit employee or by texting Metro Vancouver Transit Police at 87.77.77.
Include the word HELP and the vehicle number if you require assistance while onboard.
(Note: standard carrier text messaging rates may apply)
Reporting an Incident
For emergencies call 911
For non-emergencies contact Transit Police directly:
Call 604.515.8300
Text 87.77.77
Services available primarily in English.
To view more Safety Tips visit the Safety and Security page.
Accessibility
Accessing Public Transit
As the transportation authority for Metro Vancouver, TransLink is working to ensure everyone can access transit services.
For more information, download the Accessible Transit in Metro Vancouver guide.
HandyDART
HandyDART is TransLink's door-to-door, shared-ride service for people who are unable to navigate conventional public transit without assistance. Individuals who may be eligible for HandyDART include those with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.
To learn about HandyDART, including how to apply for the service, please visit the HandyDART webpage or download the HandyDART Rider’s Guide.
Contact
For general questions about HandyDART, HandyCard, or the Access Transit program, call Access Transit Customer Care at 604.953.3680.
Operating Hours
Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. excluding holidays
More Information
For links and more information specific to your needs, find your section below.
Newcomers
New to Canada, BC, or Metro Vancouver? Here is some information that may be helpful for getting around and important locations to know about.
Visitors
Visiting Metro Vancouver? Here are some tips to help you get to and from YVR Airport, ferries, and around Metro Vancouver for sightseeing and visiting local attractions using transit or active transport.
Families and Kids
Whether you're planning a day out with the little ones or need tips on traveling with your family, we've got you covered.
University Students (U-Pass BC)
Certain colleges and universities can participate in a program to provide a U-Pass BC to eligible students. Only the college or university can provide students with a U-Pass BC and it is illegal to purchase a U-Pass BC from another student. For more information visit:
Seniors
Information important for senior riders to know.
