Transit for New Riders
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Welcome
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.
Preparing for your first trip
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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.
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Check fares: Familiarize yourself with the different ways to pay for transit, such as cash, Compass pass, or credit card, and choose the one that’s best for you.
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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.
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Stay informed: Check Alerts for service disruptions and Next Bus for updated information on when your bus should arrive.
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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.
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Boarding and riding: When the bus, train, or ferry 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.
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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.
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.
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We can help you over the phone in more than 300 languages!
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Call us during operating hours and tell the agent your preferred language. You will be placed on hold while a certified third-party translator is added to the line. View our list of available languages.
Trip Planning
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.
Ways to Pay for Transit
Contactless Payment Cards
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Adult fare only.
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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.
Single-Use ticket
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Buy a single-use Compass ticket at the Compass Vending Machine.
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Valid on date of purchase only.
Compass Card
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A $6 refundable deposit required for a reloadable Compass Card.
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Load your card with $5 or more.
Day Pass ticket
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Save money if you use transit multiple times in one day.
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Purchase a Day Pass Ticket for unlimited same-day trips on bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus until the end of service day.
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Day Pass tickets are not valid on West Coast Express.
Monthly Passes
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Monthly Passes provide unlimited travel on SkyTrain and SeaBus for the number of zones purchased.
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Unlimited travel on buses at any time.
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Unlimited travel across all zones on weekends, statutory holidays, and after 6:30 p.m. on weekday evenings on all modes.
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Passes are sold for 1-, 2-, or 3-Zone travel.
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Passes for West Coast Express must be purchased separately as they are priced differently.
Important notes
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For contactless payment cards, single-use tickets, and Compass Cards, you have 90 minutes to transfer across buses, SkyTrain,and SeaBus. Zone fare system applies.
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Cash payment is accepted on the bus but is not transferrable to SkyTrain, West Coast Express, or SeaBus.
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On the SkyTrain and SeaBus, remember to tap in and out of the system to have your fare calculated correctly. You do not need to tap out of the system when you leave the bus.
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Discounted concession fare applies to people aged 65 and older, youth 13 to 18, and HandyCard holders. Children 12 and under can ride free.
Where to Buy
Compass Cards and Tickets are available online at compasscard.ca, at Compass Retailers, and select Vancouver London Drugs stores. They are also available from Compass Vending Machines at SkyTrain and West Coast Express stations, SeaBus terminals, Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay ferry terminals. Cash, debit, and credit cards are accepted at Compass Vending Machines. Purchases can also be made by calling 604.398.2042.
Only purchase Compass Cards and Tickets at the verified sellers listed above.
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?
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All bus and HandyDART trips are a 1-Zone fare at all times.
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SkyTrain requires a 1, 2, or 3-Zone fare, depending on the time and day* and number of zone boundaries you cross during your trip.
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SeaBus requires a 1 or 2-Zone fare, depending on the time and day*
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A single fare is valid for 90 minutes on bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and HandyDART.
*All journeys across the system starting after 6:30 p.m. weekdays and all travel on weekends (Saturday, Sunday, and holidays) are a 1-Zone fare.
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.
Youth and University Students
Students can take buses, the SeaBus, the SkyTrain, and the West Coast Express to get all around Metro Vancouver.
Youth aged 13-18 are eligible for concession fares
Students at participating post-secondary institutions are eligible for a U-pass. Students contributes to their U-Pass when they pay their student fees, lowering the cost per student. For more information visit:
Seniors
Information important for senior riders to know.