Many people have experienced the embarrassment of boarding a bus, only to realize they’ve left their Compass Card at home.

For those forgetful individuals, TransLink is rolling out a new way to tap in: Compass Card wristbands.

Operating in the same way as their more common counterparts, the wristbands can be loaded with stored value and monthly passes. Riders pay for their journey by scanning the bracelet’s chip on any Compass Card reader at SkyTrain and SeaBus fare gates, or at bus doors.

The transit authority says that 2,000 wristbands will be for sale, and will cost $6—the same price as the deposit for a Compass Card. Half of the rubber bracelets will be baby-blue and can be used for a normal adult fare, and the other half will be orange for concession riders.

The new technology will be available to the public starting on Monday, December 3.

The wristbands—which are expected to sell out very quickly—can only be picked up from two locations. First is the Compass Card Customer Service Office, located at the Beatty Street entrance of Stadium-Chinatown Station, and the second is the West Coast Express Office at Waterfront station.

Translink has released a limited number to test the demand for the rubber wristbands. The organization has suggested that it will produce more if they turn out to be popular among riders.

The service has been trialled by TransLink employees over the past few weeks, who sported black versions of the wristband.

The wristbands follows the rollout of payment via VISA, Mastercard, and mobile wallet technologies, introduced in early 2018. TransLink has also installed radio-frequency (RFID) sensors at all SkyTrain stations and SeaBus terminals to allow those who are unable to tap their compass card to travel.

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