TransLink testing RFID fare gates for people with disabilities

(Foto: Steve Morgan)

Whenever he needs to go somewhere on transit, Terry LeBlanc avoids taking SkyTrain, even if it makes his trip significantly longer. Since TransLink started using fare gates last year, LeBlanc, who because of a spinal cord injury is physically unable to use a fare card to tap in and out, has been forced to call an attendant for help every time he wants to ride the SkyTrain system. Initially, the plan was to install special gates for people who could not tap in. Instead, TransLink decided to install Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in the existing accessible fare gates.