As well as being late, the developers of the Compass Cards couldn't even make the system work correctly for bus service. I'm not even going to ask how much more the system cost than originally anticipated. It is too late to go back. (I'd say it's water under the bridge; yet that might bring up a whole Pandora's Box of other Translink blunders.)
I did notice that several of the fare vending machines at Columbia Station were finally dispensing Compass Cards. I have a number of fare-saver one-zone tickets in my wallet as well as a spare, paper 'Day Pass'. I will have to use these up before we leave for our winter away. Supposedly, by the time we get back, the paper tickets will have been retired.
I paid the $6 bucks for my blank card and put $20 of added value on it. More importantly, I came back in and registered by card and set up my online account. I'm a card-carrying member with a balance! When we return next April, my trip home from the airport will be deducted from the cash I lent them today.