[11] All fares on buses across the region are set at the one zone rate of $2.85, a switch TransLink made during the roll out of the Compass contactless smart card payment system.

BC Transit, and later TransLink, took the position that the barrier-free proof of payment system was more effective than having fare gates or turnstiles.

[15] In March 2008, Ken Dobell, a lobbyist for Cubic Corporation, started talks with Falcon with the intention of selling technology to TransLink.

Dobell, BC premier Gordon Campbell's former deputy minister and previously the first CEO of TransLink, had just been found guilty of breaching the Lobbyists Registration Act.

[16] In April 2009, the Office of the Premier, the Government of Canada, and TransLink announced the implementation of fare gates and smart cards.

[21] Selected beta testers received a Compass card loaded with $100 that could be tapped in and out, but these were not considered a valid payment of one's fare.

[2] During this transition phase, users could still purchase and use FareSaver tickets, with fare gates at SeaBus and SkyTrain stations remaining opened.

However, in October 2015, buses were designated as a single fare zone, eliminating the need for a tap-out system on buses—a change that, while initially temporary, became permanent.

[8] The transition phase ended on April 4, 2016, with fare gates closing and Compass cards being required to enter Seabus and SkyTrain stations.

[6] In August 2022, TransLink announced they were working on allowing Compass cards to be stored in digital wallets; however, they noted the feature could take years to implement.

[24] Several limited edition versions of the Compass card, including non-card form factors, have been produced by TransLink and sold at certain locations or to commemorate events.

[61] TransLink claimed it would cost an additional $25 million to provide fare box upgrades on buses enabling them to dispense and accept Compass Tickets.

[66] In addition, TransLink confirmed in October 2013 that the cost overrun for the Compass card system had reached $23 million due to delay related inflation and unanticipated scope creep.