Did you know that travelling by transit from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) costs an extra $5?
You might not have if you don’t make a habit of using the SkyTrain for trips beginning on Sea Island and going past it. This extra charge is known as the “YVR Airport AddFare” and has been part of TransLink’s prices since August 2009.
Just recently, TransLink and the Mayors’ Council have approved an increase to this $5 surcharge. And it plans to increase annually, too.
ADDFARE SURCHARGE
The YVR Airport AddFare is “used to support the cost of running SkyTrain’s Canada Line,” says the TransLink website. TransLink further notes that they collect all fares, and that the Vancouver Airport Authority does not receive this revenue.
There are certain trips that incur the charge and ones that do not. For those that receive this additional $5, they include:
- Single–use tickets and DayPasses that have been purchased from YVR Airport, Sea Island Centre, and Templeton Stations
- Compass Card Stored Value trips
- And Tap to Pay, which means when you tap your credit or debit cards in order to pay for transit fare
Those that are exempt from the surcharge are:
- Monthly Pass holders
- Travellers between the Sea Island stations. Refunds are issued once you tap out either your Compass Card or contactless card at any of the three stations
- Burkeville resident program card holders, which are valid for five years
ADDFARE INCREASES
For the first time in its long history, the YVR Airport AddFare surcharge will be increasing. Approved by TransLink and the Mayors’ Council in May 2025, the added amount is meant to assist in the demand for expanded transit service. By generating more revenue, the public transit authority’s fiscal gap hopes to be closed while also helping to cease service cuts.
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By next year in July 2026, you can expect the surcharge to increase by $1.50. Travellers will thus be paying $6.50 instead of $5 when transiting from Sea Island’s stations via the Canada Line.
Additionally, there will be an annual increase of 2% beginning in 2027.
What do you think about the YVR Airport AddFare charge increase?
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