Yep.
There are no turnstiles to board the trains. I found this rather peculiar at first. Still do. There’s no incentive to purchase a ticket, except to avoid harsh penalties if you get caught by a Translink cop.
Translink trains run on the honor system.
Buses, not so much.
With the exception of some express ones, like the 99 near me that let you board in the middle or back of the bus, you do need to pay or show a fare card.
Why the difference? No idea.
How infrastructure upkeep can be maintained without making every pay a fare, no idea either.
Seems as if that is coming to an end though. Translink is installing turnstiles at all of its stations. Presumably that’ll mean different fare cards, too.
Chicago issued new Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus cards. I forgot about that until I went to use mine while home and it didn’t work. I had brought the wrong one.
I’m rather curious about the new Translink fare cards. Curious about how they’ll work. Touch? Swipe? Wave? And what the design will be like. Boring or more reflective of Vancouver and Translink?
Will have to wait and see…