When we first heard plans of the introduction of the Compass fare cards, we were concerned about our building's access though Columbia Station. Our building has direct access to the Church Street side of the station. In the days before the TransLink pre-paid cards, the fare-paid zone started as passengers headed up the stairs towards the SkyTrain platform. Obviously, the new gates had to be added at each end of our formerly-free passage to Columbia Street.
It all ended up fine. As long as one stays less than 20 minutes and exits from the same station, no charges are levied. Whenever we walk though the station, our compass card usage which we can access online, shows a $4.20 charge and an immediate $4.20 rebate.
