Vancouver TransLink question

[anricat]

Does anyone happen to know if the TransLink Day Passes are for a specific DATE or for a 24 hour period? I'm trying to figure out how many of these things I'm going to need while there so I can budget appropriately.

It says it's for "for one day from the start of the first transit service to the end of the service day" so I'm assuming that means one DATE and not a 24 hour period so I'm thinking that if I arrive in at 2:30 on Saturday, that I'll need one for the rest of Saturday and then one for Sunday. Sound right?

 

[bcwife76]

Nope, not a specific day, just a 24 hour period:

http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/DayPass.aspx

 

[Camshell]

Nope, not a specific day, just a 24 hour period:

http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/DayPass.aspx

I don't think that's right. I haven't lived in Vancouver for a few years back, but I'm sure a day pass is just for the day you use it, not a 24 hour period. When I lived there (a few years back) you got a card that you scratched the date (like a lottery ticket) to "activate" the ticket. If you scratched at 8pm at night it was only good for 4 more hours (until midnight), not until 8 pm the next day.

 

[bcwife76]

@Camshell yes you're right:

"A DayPass provides unlimited transit use on all buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus for one day from the start of the first transit service to the end of the service day. You can use it for travel through all zones, and save money over buying single fares when you take multiple trips."

 

[xlxo]

In the old days... a Day pass could not be used until 9:30am. Now it starts at the beginning of service.

Warning.... Daypasses purchased at the airport has a $5 surcharge.
http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Canada-Line-YVR-AddFare.aspx

 

[anricat]

In the old days... a Day pass could not be used until 9:30am. Now it starts at the beginning of service.

Warning.... Daypasses purchased at the airport has a $5 surcharge.
http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Canada-Line-YVR-AddFare.aspx

I read that there is a 7-11 in the airport where you can buy a day pass that doesn't have that. Is that true?

 

[anricat]

@Camshell yes you're right:

"A DayPass provides unlimited transit use on all buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus for one day from the start of the first transit service to the end of the service day. You can use it for travel through all zones, and save money over buying single fares when you take multiple trips."

Thanks for confirming/clarifying. Super confusing! Why don't they just say "on that DATE" or something. It would make it more clear, I think.

 

[bumbershoot]

So curious what you're doing that you require the passes.

 

[anricat]

So curious what you're doing that you require the passes.

Well, mostly it's convenience. They don't have the faresaver ticket books any more so then we're looking at exact coins, which sounds cumbersome. But if we're taking more than a couple of trips, it's going to be a better deal anyway.

 

[jtba]

I read that there is a 7-11 in the airport where you can buy a day pass that doesn't have that. Is that true?

we bought the 10-ticket booklet there, but it sounds like they're no longer available.

you may have to call translink directly at 604.953.3333 to speak with customer service. that URL also said you can tweet them @translink.

 

[jtba]

Well, mostly it's convenience. They don't have the faresaver ticket books any more so then we're looking at exact coins, which sounds cumbersome. But if we're taking more than a couple of trips, it's going to be a better deal anyway.

@bcwife76 & @xlxo could anricat use a credit card instead?

 

[bcwife76]

Honestly I'm not sure. With the introduction of the new compass card, I don't know how the fares are working any more. I honestly don't take transit here hardly ever (last time I did was last September when we took the skytrain down to Canada Place for our own cruise!!). The machines at the skytrain and seabus always took credit cards but yeah, with the compass card I really don't know how this affects the day passes, etc.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, mostly it's convenience. They don't have the faresaver ticket books any more so then we're looking at exact coins, which sounds cumbersome. But if we're taking more than a couple of trips, it's going to be a better deal anyway.

We just never take transit up there; that's why I'm curious. Well, we took the Canada line from the airport when we flew up in October for the Rock&Roll run weekend, but I didn't like it so it's unlikely I'll take it again. Walking in downtown is sooo easy, and cabs are so decently priced and clean, we just use those modes of transport if we don't have our car.

 

[anricat]

Honestly I'm not sure. With the introduction of the new compass card, I don't know how the fares are working any more. I honestly don't take transit here hardly ever (last time I did was last September when we took the skytrain down to Canada Place for our own cruise!!). The machines at the skytrain and seabus always took credit cards but yeah, with the compass card I really don't know how this affects the day passes, etc.

Yah, the Compass Card bit is what's really throwing me off. It looks like you can still buy a Day Pass that is a separate entity and is a throw away type deal, but it looks to me, from the website, as if the Compass Card has replaced the Fare Saver ticket books and that there is a deposit on the Compass Card and if you want it back, you have to return it, which sounds like a hassle I don't need on my trip.

I dunno, I might just take a cab from the airport to the hotel. It seems like it may be more convenient with luggage. Maybe a little more expensive, but not by a ton and probably worth the convenience, especially with the exchange rate in our favor.

We're staying at Blue Horizon, which seems pretty central to a lot of stuff, so we won't need it much. We need it to get from Capilano to Grouse and then back from Grouse. I suppose I can try to get some cash and just make sure I change it out for a bunch of coins. I'm totally going to look like an idiotic tourist figuring out which coins are which!

 

[xlxo]

We're staying at Blue Horizon, which seems pretty central to a lot of stuff, so we won't need it much. We need it to get from Capilano to Grouse and then back from Grouse. I suppose I can try to get some cash and just make sure I change it out for a bunch of coins. I'm totally going to look like an idiotic tourist figuring out which coins are which!

If they ask for loonies, toonies and bi-polar..... don't be upset.

fyi... there's free shuttles from the cruise terminal to those attractions.

Best strategy...

• walk to cruise terminal to take the Grouse shuttle to the mountain. Enjoy your day. Best time to arrive is 11 to 5pm when most shows are running.
• As the Grouse shuttle returns downtown, request to be dropped off at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It's a 5 minute ride.
• return downtown with the Capilano Shuttle.

Other thoughts/variations....

• The Capilano shuttle does a pickup at the Blue Horizon. Some like to do Capilano first to avoid the tour bus crowds at 10am. However you take public transit from Capilano to Grouse.
  https://capbridge-capilanosuspensi....oads/2016/01/May-2016-Shuttle-Pad-for-web.jpg
• Capilano opens til 8pm..... arriving after 5pm means the bridge is less crowded.
• Grouse Bear (not beer) breakfast is best with a cab as the shuttles don't run that early.
• If you eat at the Grouse Observatory in the evening (expensive), your Gondola admission is free with reservations.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

So curious what you're doing that you require the passes.

We traveled between our hotel, Queen Elizabeth Gardens, Stanley Park, Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, and YVR Airport, all using the transit. It was super easy and convenient and there was a station just a 5 minute walk from our hotel.

 

[anricat]

• As the Grouse shuttle returns downtown, request to be dropped off at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It's a 5 minute ride.

I had read about this and originally, it was indeed my plan, but then I couldn't find anything official. I emailed Grouse customer service and they said that their shuttle does not stop at Capilano. Is this something that they stopped doing or is it more unofficial/depends on the driver type thing?

 

[xlxo]

If that is a concern..... ask the Grouse driver as you return..... if there is no drop off... plan for a bus or cab. Not worth returning downtown and then catch another shuttle back to the same area.... especially if there is a surprise multi-shuttle long wait for the second shuttle.