Getting around Metro Vancouver’s public transit network is about to get a lot cuter.
TransLink has teamed up with Sanrio — the Japanese creative force behind Hello Kitty and her adorable crew — to launch a limited-edition series of Compass Cards that promise to turn everyday commutes into something a little more fun.
The new cards feature four “supercute” designs showcasing Hello Kitty alongside fan favourites like My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and other friends.
Expect immense demand for these kawaii-style fare payment cards.
Fans can get their hands on the exclusive bundles at a pop-up shop in the Grand Court’s Lower-Level Atrium at Metropolis at Metrotown mall on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. — or until supplies last.
Each $44.99 bundle includes one themed Compass Card and one matching luggage tag — perfect for adding a bit of personality to both your commute and your carry-on.
As with TransLink’s past collectible releases, demand is expected to be high. Purchases will be limited to two bundles per person, and eager fans may want to line up early to avoid missing out. Any remaining bundles will be released online through the TransLink Store the following week.
TransLink/Sanrio
TransLink/Sanrio
TransLink/Sanrio
Hello Kitty Compass Card. (TransLink/Sanrio)
Hello Kitty Compass Card. (TransLink/Sanrio)
Hello Kitty TransLink luggage tag. (TransLink/Sanrio)
Hello Kitty TransLink luggage tag. (TransLink/Sanrio)
Hello Kitty TransLink luggage tag. (TransLink/Sanrio)
The cards function like standard adult fare Compass Cards, including a $6 refundable deposit.
For riders, it is a chance to brighten up the daily commute. For collectors, it is another must-have.
Either way, tapping in and out of the fare gates and card readers has never looked so adorable.
According to Sanrio, Hello Kitty’s character was “born” in the suburbs of London, and she lives with her parents and her twin sister Mimmy, who is her best friend. In 2024, ahead of her 50th anniversary, the company set the record straight about Hello Kitty — she is a girl, and not a cat.
Hello Kitty Compass Card. (TransLink/Sanrio)
TransLink/Sanrio
TransLink/Sanrio
Hello Kitty Compass Card. (TransLink/Sanrio)
Hello Kitty Compass Card. (TransLink/Sanrio)
This is not TransLink’s first foray into themed Compass Cards that borrow popular intellectual properties and pop culture. Previous limited-edition releases feature Captain Canuck — which was released in February 2026, coinciding with Fan Expo Vancouver — as well as DC Super Heroes and even Elf. These previous designs have proven popular, but this latest collaboration may be its cutest yet.
In Summer 2025, the public transit authority released its first-ever trading cards of varying trains, bus vehicles, and the SeaBus.
Last year, TransLink also partnered up with Heritage Bricks to create limited-edition, brick-building sets — using real LEGO pieces — of all four generations of SkyTrain cars used on SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium Lines. Following the success of the initial launch, a second edition of the SkyTrain car kits was made available earlier this year, including a kit of the Canada Line car.
Captain Canuck-themed Compass Cards. (TransLink/Lev Gleason Publications)
DC Comics-themed Compass Cards. (TransLink/DC Comics)
Elf-themed Compass Cards. (TransLink/New Line Productions)
Heritage Bricks/TransLink
Heritage Bricks/TransLink