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What is the COMPASS TRANSLINK charge?

Public Transit Fare

By · Last updated

Aug 29 COMPASS TRANSLINK $10.00

The short answer

This charge is from TransLink's Compass Card system, which manages public transit payments for Metro Vancouver's SkyTrain, buses, SeaBus, and West Coast Express.

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Why is Compass TransLink charging me?

A charge appearing as "COMPASS", "TRANSLINK", or "COMPASS VENDING MACH" occurs when you add Stored Value to a Compass Card, buy a monthly pass, or purchase a paper ticket at a SkyTrain station.

You will also see this charge if you bypass the Compass Card entirely and use TransLink's "Tap to Pay" feature, which allows you to tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, or mobile wallet (Apple/Google Pay) directly on fare gates and bus readers.

If you have a registered Compass Card, an unexpected charge is often caused by AutoLoad triggering. When your card's Stored Value drops below $5, AutoLoad automatically charges your saved credit card to replenish the balance.

Card Clash and Double Tapping

If you tapped your entire wallet or purse on a fare gate, the reader might have picked up your credit card instead of your Compass Card. This results in the system charging your bank account directly rather than deducting from your transit pass. Always remove the card you intend to use before tapping.

How to review and dispute charges

  1. Log in to your account at CompassCard.ca to review your Stored Value usage, AutoLoad settings, and trip history.
  2. If you used a contactless credit card to 'Tap to Pay', you can view your trip history by entering your credit card details securely on the TransLink Contactless portal.
  3. For disputes or double charges caused by card clash, contact TransLink Customer Service at 604-398-2042.

Independent reference — not affiliated with TransLink. Billing names and policies change; verify with the merchant or your bank before acting.

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Reviewed Aug 31, 2026 · high · About UnknownCharges