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Yesterday, Vancouver’s TransLink launched a program that calls for installing fare gates at stations to accommodate a new transit fare card. The agency began upgrading the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station to prepare for the new fare gates.

TransLink plans to upgrade electrical systems and install fare machines and gates at all stations during the next 12 to 18 months. The gates are designed to recognize the new Compass card, which passengers can use to pay fares on Vancouver’s entire transit system, including SkyTrain, West Coast Express and SeaBus.  

The fare gates and Compass card will help TransLink collect data about when and where passengers are traveling, which will help agency officials determine how to dispatch service and upgrade the systems, TransLink officials said in a prepared statement. The fare gates and new fare card are scheduled to be activated in 2013.

The province of British Columbia and Canadian government will provide $40 million and $30 million, respectively, toward the $100 million cost of the fare gates and related station improvements. The entire program, including the Compass card roll-out, will cost about $171 million.

The project is part of TransLink’s OnTrack program, which includes a range of maintenance and upgrade projects in recognition of SkyTrain’s 25th anniversary. The program also calls for replacing running and power rails, and improving system accessibility.