Compass Cards and fare gates: how budgets and deadlines have grown and changed since 2005

Fare gates have been in the works at SkyTrain stations for almost 10 years, and in that time, the project's budget and deadlines have both proven as flexible as their rationale.

On March 1, TransLink seemed to signal the final step in integrating the fare gates into the regional transit network by announcing all gates at all stations would be closed byApril 8, instead of leaving one gate open.

However, On March 2, Peter Fassbender, the minister responsible for TransLink, seemed to nix that commitment, saying one would remain open until accessibility issues for the disabled were resolved.

Here is a timeline of developments in the project that show how the beleaguered fare gate and Compass Card systems have developed over the years.

• TransLink can't close gates until access issues addressed says minister
• TransLink closing all SkyTrain and SeaBus fare gates April 8
• FareSaver paper tickets no longer for sale ahead of Compass faregate closure