Shanghai Public Transport Card

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Jiaotong Yikatong
交通一卡通
260px
Location Shanghai
Launched 1999
Technology
Currency RMB (RMB 1,000 maximum load)
Credit expiry None
Auto recharge Automatic Add Value Service
Website Shanghai Public Transportation Card Co. official website
A Shanghai Public Transport Card

The Shanghai Public Transportation Card (SPTC) or jiaotong yikatong (Chinese: 上海公共交通卡; pinyin: Shànghǎi gōnggòng jiāotōng kǎ also known as Chinese: 交通一卡通; pinyin: Jiāotōng yī kǎtōng) is a contactless card, utilizing RFID technology, which can be used to access many forms of public transport and related services in and around the Shanghai, China area.

Uses

The SPTC is a form of rechargeable cash card, and allows access to, among other things in Shanghai:

  • Buses and trolleybuses
  • Metros
  • Ferries
  • Taxis
  • Tourist centers
  • Car parks
  • Fuel stations
  • Expressways
  • Airport maglev
  • Auto repair service

As of June 2006, the card has been interchangeable with the Wuxi Tai-Lake Transportation Card, and can also be used in Suzhou.

Purchase and funding

A variant of Shanghai public transportation card: a small sticker that can be attached to anything, e.g. to a phone[clarification needed]

There are five types of SPTCs:

  • Standard
  • Memorial
  • Mini
  • Personalized
  • Watch

Only the Standard card has a refundable deposit (30 RMB; 20 RMB after November 2007); other cards cannot be refunded, but have a lower deposit (20 RMB) and are resalable through other means. Cards can be reloaded in multiples of 10 RMB, at selected convenience stores, banks throughout Shanghai and service counters at all metro stations, or in multiples of 50 RMB in many local Metro stations (by machine; this is only possible for standard-sized cards with the exception of some machines in line 8 stations that are capable of taking most sizes). Should a cardholder attempt to board a bus, ferry or the metro without sufficient funds in their card, an overdraft will be allowed if the balance (prior to the overdraft) is non-negative and the fare is less than 10 RMB.

Personalized cards are also available upon request at the Transportation Card Service Center on West Nanjing Road for a fee of 60 yuan (not inclusive of any credit).[1]

Discounts based on the SPTC

The following discounts are available to card holders:

Interchanging discount

When cardholders take different buses within a 90-minute period, the second trip is discounted by 1 RMB, Likewise the Metro. For example, a trip from Jinshajiang Road/Zhenbei Road (118 Plaza) to Zhangjiang High-Technology Park; the trip normally costs 7 RMB (Bus 94 -> Metro Line 2), but with the card, the cost is reduced to 6 Renminbi yuan. On some lines which have a one yuan fare, trips may be free – for example, from People's Park to Huamu taking Metro Line 2 and then a Chinese character route bus, the bus sector may be free.

Metro discount

When 70 RMB is used on the same card on the Metro within one month, metro fares are discounted 10%. This discount is applied before the Interchange discount: When both discounts apply to a 4-RMB metro trip, the cost will be 2.6 RMB: 10% discount on 4 yuan is 3.6 RMB, then a further 1-yuan Interchange discount leaves 2.6 RMB.

Virtual transfer

For various reasons, free in-system transfer is not yet possible at Shanghai Railway Station and South Shaanxi Station. While passengers with single-ride tickets must exit and re-enter at these stations to transfer between lines (and therefore re-purchase tickets), Public Transportation Card holders are charged as if the two segments were one, as long as they re-enter within 30 minutes after they exited the other station. Fares are reduced during this process.

External links

References