TransLink will do 'soft launch' for RFID fare gates for people with disabilities

TransLink (Vancouver) will distribute special temporary access cards to people with disabilities who cannot tap in and out of fare gates, as part of a soft launch for a new hands-free gate access technology. The transit authority’s board of directors voted on Thursday to authorize TransLink to deliver the radio frequency identification (RFID) access cards — free of charge — to eligible customers. The cards will be valid until Dec. 31, 2018. The board also approved the eligibility criteria and application process for the cards.