Passnet
| Location | Tokyo and surrounding Kanto areas, Japan |
|---|---|
| Launched | October 14, 2000 |
| Discontinued | January 31, 2018 (complete cessation of services) |
| Technology | |
| Operator | Various private railway and subway companies (consortium) |
| Currency | Japanese yen |
| Stored-value | Pay as you go |
| Retailed |
|
Passnet (パスネット, Pasunetto) was a magnetic stored-value card system primarily used for public transportation across 22 private railway and subway lines in the Kanto region of Japan, including Tokyo.[1] Introduced on October 14, 2000, it allowed passengers to seamlessly pay fares by inserting their cards into automatic ticket gates, with the fare automatically deducted upon exit.
Passnet cards could be purchased with a fixed value of 1,000, 3,000 or 5,000 yen.[2] They could not be recharged, but any remaining value could be used to pay for a paper ticket. The cards could also be used to purchase tickets from vending machines. The name "Passnet" was selected through a public contest.
While the Passnet system initially aimed for compatibility with JR East's Suica card, full integration was not achieved. The advent of the non-contact IC card system, PASMO, on March 18, 2007, led to the gradual phasing out of Passnet.[3]
Sales of Passnet cards officially ceased on January 10, 2008. Their use at automatic ticket gates was discontinued on March 14, 2008, though some exceptions allowed continued use until March 13, 2009. Limited functionality, such as purchasing tickets or adjusting fares at machines, remained available until March 31, 2015. All Passnet services, including card refunds, were completely discontinued on January 31, 2018.[4]
History
[edit]- October 14, 2000: Passnet system introduced.
- March 18, 2007: PASMO IC card system introduced, beginning the phasing out of Passnet.
- January 10, 2008: Sales of Passnet cards cease.
- March 14, 2008: Use of Passnet at automatic ticket gates ends (with exceptions until March 13, 2009).
- March 31, 2015: Limited use at ticket and fare adjustment machines ends.
- January 31, 2018: All Passnet services, including refunds, completely discontinued.