TransLink is raising fares in Metro Vancouver by an average of five per cent in 2026, starting July 1.

The fare hike, which was approved at a board of directors meeting on Wednesday, means that adult one-zone fares using stored value on a Compass card will go from $2.70 to $2.85.

Those paying with cash or using contactless cards, on the other hand, will see one-zone fares rise from $3.35 to $3.50. An adult day pass will go from $11.95 to $12.55.

TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said that an average rider will likely see their monthly transit bills jump $5 or $10 per month — but justified the increase by saying the authority was increasing service across more than 50 bus routes and introducing additional routes.

“It raises around $26 million in revenue for us in a year,” he told CBC’s The Early Edition.

Quinn said the transit authority had hiked fares by an average of two per cent from 2021 through 2024, which he said was below the rate of inflation at the time.

“We find ourselves today trying to play a bit of catch up, and we want to be sure riders are getting something for that fare increase,” he said.

“And so this is where that big bus service expansion really, really comes in.”

WATCH | Transit fares to increase starting July 1:

Transit fares to increase in Metro Vancouver, beginning July 1

Metro Vancouver transit fares will jump an average of five per cent starting July 1, following a four per cent hike last year. TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said the increase is needed to continue funding increased service for transit riders.

Quinn said that the transit authority’s funding came from a number of different sources, including a property tax increase announced last year and the gas tax.

But the transit authority has been on the hunt for more sustainable funding for years, and Quinn said there were positive signs the province would introduce a new revenue source by 2028.

When asked why TransLink does not simply charge riders more if they travel longer distances, the CEO said that the Compass card system was simply set up to work via zones.

“We are in the process of moving forward with modernizing our Compass system that will take place in a few years from now. That will absolutely allow us to go to a distance-based fare,” he said.

Quinn added the modernization of the Compass system will also allow the transit authority to introduce loyalty programs that incentivize transit use by allowing riders to claim free coffees or similar products.

As part of the fare hikes rolling out on Canada Day, the additional fare paid by those taking the Canada Line from YVR-Airport, Sea Island Centre or Templeton, and leaving Richmond, will go from $5 to $6.50, the first time that fare has increased since 2010.