The Low Down on Sea Island’s $5 return AddFare
The Low Down on Sea Island’s $5 return AddFare
Whether you are returning to Vancouver from the YVR Airport or the New McArthur Glen Shopping Centre this weekend, don’t forget about the $5 AddFare!
The AddFare is nothing new, but if you’ve never travelled from any of the three stations on Sea Island before, the extra $5 fare may come as a surprise.
Since January 2010, the AddFare has been in place to bridge the $55 million gap in funding for the Canada Line Construction.
Determined as the best funding option with the least impact on transit growth in the region, this AddFare was a part of the agreement with the Airport Authority who contributed $300 million towards construction of the Canada Line.
The Airport Authority actually owns all three stations on Sea Island (YVR-Airport, Sea Island Centre and Templeton) with travel between these stations being free for all passengers.
And although the free ride was originally intended for YVR staff to travel between the three stations, now that the shopping centre is open, more passengers are able to take advantage of the free ride between Sea Island stops.
When is the $5 AddFare required?
Although travel is free between the three Airport Authority Stations, if you are heading to Bridgeport and beyond, the $5 AddFare is required (in addition to your regular fare) if you are starting your trip from Sea Island.
It is important to note that the YVR AddFare only applies to passengers buying fares from the ticket vending machines at YVR Airport, Sea Island Centre and Templeton station.
However, this will change when Compass is launched to the general public. At that time those with Stored Value (Compass version of FareSavers) will be charged the $5 AddFare when they tap in at one of the three Sea Island stations and tap out at Bridgeport Station or beyond.
Who’s exempt from the AddFare?
Riders with a Monthly Pass, DayPass, FareSavers, WCE Fare, U-Pass and BC Bus Pass are exempt from the AddFare. Sea Island residents and YVR employees are also not required to pay the additional fare.
Also, if you a purchase a ticket before travelling to one of Airport Authority stations, and return within the 90-minute fare expiry window, then you are also off the hook for AddFare.
If you are still uncertain whether your trip will cost you an extra $5, there is information about the AddFare posted at the three Airport Authority stations.
You can also check out TransLink’s online Trip Planner! All travel shown on this site includes the AddFare fee in trips leaving Sea Island stations.
Author: Laura Tennant
you forgot to mention that us CNIB card holders won’t get “dinged” in the wallet when going from the YVR stations to anywhere outside of Sea Island
Is there any place to modify the fee to $2.50 both ways (leave and entering) Sea Island? The current $5 fee for only leaving makes a taxi much more attractive with just two people. I could imagine once the Compass Card is in place and we are required to tap in and tap out, it would be much easier to set up this way. And I could see use of the Canada line leaving YVR and the corresponding YVR Addfare payment increasing.
I’m personally affected by the $5 AddFare on a weekly basis. I work on Sea Island for FedEx. I take the Canada Line in, and out of work about 3 times a week. Two of the days I drive my car, because my wife isn’t using it to commute to work as a nurse. I feel that it is unfair to be charged a $5 AddFare because I work on Sea Island, and especially since YVR employees have been deemed fit to receive a concession by Translink and the owners of YVR itself. Why does this not extend to other major employers on the island? Why are we left to suffer the unafforability of this predicament. It’s not like you don’t see that it is a problem for working people i.e. you’ve made the concession to YVR employees. Can we expect to see changes in the near future?
Hi Ben, thanks for your comment.
If you’re only doing the commuting trip a few times a week, I would suggest buying two Compass tickets OFF Sea Island (really any other Station but those three) — using one for your trip there and one for your trip home. That way, you can avoid the YVR AddFare. This is not applicable for Stored Value on a Compass Card.
Please be advised, however, that Compass tickets expire at the end of the service day so be sure to use the tickets you’ve purchased that day.
Also, travel within Sea Island travel is free. You can travel within Sea Island Stations for free by choosing the “Sea Island Only” Compass ticket from any of the CVMs at the stations.
I hope this helps.
Thanks!