Businesses across Canada that use coin-operated devices are being warned that the introduction of the new, lighter $1 and $2 coins may not be compatible with their equipment.
Parking meters, Laundromats, and ticket and vending machines have been found not to work with the new coins, and frustration is spreading among citizens and entrepreneurs who have to deal with delays and additional costs.
TransLink, one of the affected companies, is now asking customers for patience while it adjusts its vending machines to the new loonies and toonies.
TransLink spokesman Drew Snider said that machines at Canada Line stations will only require a software upgrade. The older machines at Expo and Millennium Line stations, though, will need a hardware upgrade and therefore will be adjusted more slowly, with just one machine working in each station for now.
The Royal Canadian Mint said it has sent out warnings about the new coins. However, some problems seem to have been inevitable.
"You make a best effort to reach everybody. But it's hard to get down to every single last individual operator," mint spokesman Alex Reeves said.
