PASMO service

PASMO service has just started. It is a rechargeable magnetic (one touch) smart card train pass that works for all trains (JR and private), and buses. A similar card existed for JR only called SUICA, while the private lines and subways used a disposable card called PASSNET. This card you throw away when the debits have been used. And then the bus system also had a similar disposable card only for buses. So in the Tokyo area you had to carry around 3 cards all the time to use various transportation services.

I will tell the advantages and disadvantages of this PASMO.
advantages : I think these are main advantages.
We can do "touch and go" like SUICA in private, subway, bus too.
(This is nice! I must alway be nervous to suceed in putting such a thin card into a thin slot.)

We can use only one card, no need to have one for each line.
(This is nice too! because I have SUICA, train pass, PASSNET and bus card. If I don't have them all, I need to buy ticket everytime, I can't be bothered.)

When I go throgh the exit, if my remaining PASMO credits are not enough, my PASMO will be recharged automatically from my credit card (pre-registration is necessary)

Some private company will give you points for your use of PASMO. If you accumulate a certain number of points, you will be given various advantages. (I like this too. I use Odakyo, I can collect points and use them in stores, department stores and PASMO too )

And there were many inconveniences relating to these older systems as well. The transfer from a PASSNET line to a SUICA (such as in Shinjuku) can be very confusing for some people and it holds up the line. Basically you have to first put your PASSNET through the reader slot, and then swipe your SUICA across the magnetic pad. Many people, especially old people, people not from Tokyo, and some foreigners had troubles with this. Also, if your SUICA ran out before you could exit, you could recharge it inside the station before exiting, but for PASSNET, if your card runs out, there is usually no way to get another card inside the station, and exit (some stations sell PASSNET cards at their kiosks). So you had to line up in a long line at the adjustment machine and pay your total fare, then buy a new PASSNET once you've exited. So although these systems (SUICA, PASSNET, and all Kanto area bus card) were a great improvement over the old system of every train line using different ticket systems, they still had inconveniences. The great thing about PASMO is that it combines all these together. We can use PASSMO on every major train (including JR, private, and subway) and bus. And after the introduction of PASMO, we can also use SUICA anywhere the PASMO card is accepted.

disadvantages : I have to be careful too.
You must be charged more than you used.
If you started at A station of X line, then transfered through Z line in the middle without going through exit, then go back to the final destination is B station in X line, then you will be charged a full A to B of X line. JR tends to be more expensive than private and lines, so this is a problem for many people.

Auto charge service won't be available for bus, so bus user need to be careful.

You can not carry both a SUICA and a PASMO in the same pass case together (actually you don't need it), if you do it, you got error. You need to choose Penguin or Robot. :-p

If you have kids, PASMO would be inconvenient because PASMO is available for only one person.

Comments

[hkxforce]

Besides the all-purpose feature, Octopus can also auto-recharge in any place. It also set a limit that only recharge once (HKD250, about 3750yen), so that one will not too much money if the card is lost.

Actually the technology of Octopus is also comes from Japan, but what's special in HK is that we have only one company working on e-pay system, thus the Octopus can be used anywhere.

[Mari]

over 500,000 people bought PASMO already they said. すごいなあ。

[Walter]

PASMO is similar to OCTOPUS Card in Hong Kong. I am not only using my Octopus card to pay my bus/train/subway fares, but also use the credit of Octopus card to pay purchases at supermarket and convenient stores like 7-11.

[Mark]

I wish that JR had just joined Passnet. That would have been perfect. With the new IC cards they just want to get your deposit money to make interest on, and get you to spend more money, with auto charging, and later with making them work with vending machines, in kiosks, etc.

It's easy to put the Passnet cards in the slot, and you can do it backwards-forwards-right side up-upside down. The IC cards eventually get "funny" and you need to slap them a few times on the kaisatsu thing before they "take." Passnet cards run out of money and you just get a fresh one. Since you can put two in a slot at a time, you always have enough credit, and you know when you need to buy another.