A temporary move to a single zone across the Lower Mainland as a result of a Compass Card glitch could mean a standardized price for all bus trips.

Details from TransLink are scarce, but observers agree it’s likely the new fare will be more than the base one-zone fare, and less than the three-zone fare.

“Any adjustment is painful, and there will be winners and losers,” said SFU professor Gordon Price.

Right now, one, two and three zone trips are set at $2.75, $4.00 and $5.50 respectively. A new Metro Vancouver-wide fare could cost somewhere in between, meaning that those taking long trips could pay less, and those taking short trips could pay more.

It would also mean that bus riders would not have to remember to “tap out” their card while getting off the bus.

It’s a reaction to a technical problem with the Compass Card readers on buses that right now are too slow and have a 10 per cent error rate.

That means TransLink can’t reliably measure how far a rider has travelled, and can’t be sure it’s charging the right fare.

TransLink believes the problem can be solved and the one-zone measure is only temporary, said spokesperson Colleen Brennan.

“TransLink is going to temporarily eliminate the tap out process,” she said. “We’re totally committed to Compass. It provides very important information on travel patterns that we need.”

Other systems supplied by Cubic, such as London’s Oyster Card system, have a zone system for trains but a single zone system for buses. CTV News couldn’t confirm that any Cubic transit systems have a functioning multiple zone system for buses.

Price said he thinks TransLink is doing the right thing by delaying the launch.

“It’s worse having to change it after you implement it. It’s wise for them to take the time and try to do it as right as possible,” he said.

A Cubic spokesperson referred calls back to TransLink, quoting the organization’s policy on the project.

A section in the contract between TransLink and Cubic says that Cubic “shall be entitled to make public announcements to the extent necessary to respond to public criticisms or adverse public comment in relation to carrying out project work.”