TransLink program offers transit passes in exchange for scrapped fossil fuel vehicles
The new initiative aims to help both the environment and commuters
Translink and the SCRAP-IT program are offering bus passes in exchange for fossil fuel emitting vehicles. (Kyler Emerson)
In an effort to help meet its environmental goals, TransLink has started offering monthly transit passes to anyone who is looking to recycle or scrap their old car.
The new initiative is running in partnership with government air-emissions reduction program SCRAP-IT, and there are two options available to claim, both valued at $802. In return, for disposing of vehicles through the program, people who participate can either receive a one-zone adult pass for eight months, or a three-zone concession pass for 14 months.
Both organizations worked to create this incentive to help reduce greenhouse gases and curb pollution from car exhausts in the province, which will also be a step forward in achieving the federal government’s zero-emission vehicles goal set for 2035, and British Columbia’s zero-emission vehicles goal by 2040. The SCRAP-IT partnership will also support TransLink’s goal of reducing all emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, and can reduce traffic congestion and vehicle dependency.
“TransLink is committed to the development of a sustainable transportation system that aims to meet the needs of people, organizations, and businesses, and promotes the ecological, economic and social well-being of Metro Vancouver,” TransLink published in a news release following the announcement of the program.
“Partnerships like this help people make greener, more environmentally-friendly choices,” added TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn in the news release. “By choosing public transportation you are helping reduce congestion and the region’s carbon footprint.”
Before scrapping the vehicle, riders need to purchase a Compass Card. Then, to claim their monthly pass, people must apply for the program and wait about two business days for the approval. After scrapping the vehicle at a SCRAP-IT facility, people will have up to 30 days afterwards to claim the monthly pass.
When the claim is completed, individuals will need to provide SCRAP-IT with the serial number from the back of their Compass Card in order for SCRAP-IT to coordinate loading the monthly pass onto the card. After filling in the required information, the company will confirm if the monthly pass is ready to be given out to commuters.
The Compass Card will be loaded automatically every month after users have tapped it at any transit stop, or on the bus.
Michelle Lam, the Kwantlen Student Association’s MultiPass program coordinator, says if students decide to register for the SCRAP-IT program, they can apply for an exemption from the UPass in order to avoid paying twice for monthly transit access.
“Because it works the same [as the U-Pass]. So, they could apply for an exemption on the KPU website,” she says.
“If they are not accepted [when applying for the exemption] they could apply to our KSA hardship bursary application. Just let us know that you were rewarded by the 14 month pass and then we will reimburse you the U-Pass fee,” Lam says.
