TransLink considering one-zone fare for buses

TransLinkis mulling a one-zone fare for buses when the Compass cards are deployed.

The beleaguered $200-million Compass cardsystem is supposed to stop fare evadersand make riding transit easier, but testing shows the card readers are too slow and inaccurate.

In particular, the transit agency is having trouble with the Compass card's tap-out functionon buses, which would determine how many zones a rider has travelled. Instead of properly reading the card, the card validatorstaketoo long to tap off potentially creating lineups as riders leave busesandriders who forget to tap outcould be charged for three zones.

A one-zone fare would be one potential solution to TransLink's tap-off system. It isalso considering a grace period as riders get used to the new program.

TransLink estimates 220,000 customers will be using the much-delayed cards by September on the West Coast Express, still far short of the company's 850,000 goal.

Take the poll:Would you get a Compass Card if there was one-zone fare for buses?