Mejiron Nimoca
Encyclopedia
is a rechargeable contactless smart card
ticketing system for public transport in Oita Prefecture
, Japan
. Oita Bus, Oita Kōtsū and Kamenoi Bus introduced the system on December 26, 2010. Like other electronic fare collection systems in Japan, the card uses FeliCa
, RFID
technology developed by Sony
. The cute design combines Nimoca
mascot Ferret with Mejiron (めじろん?), the mascot character widely loved as Oita Prefecture's cheering squad.
As of December 2010, the card is usable for some local bus lines by Oita Bus and Oita Kōtsū for Oita. On March 20, 2011, the card is also usable for all the bus lines by the operators.
At the same time Mejiron nimoca was introduced, the three operators also introduced Nimoca, meaning the latter card is also usable in those lines. As Mejiron nimoca and Nimoca have integrated services, SUGOCA
, Hayakaken
and Suica
are also usable in Mejiron Nimoca-accepting area.
These three cards can be issued either as prepaid cards
or commuters passes
.
Smart card
A smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card , is any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits. A smart card or microprocessor cards contain volatile memory and microprocessor components. The card is made of plastic, generally polyvinyl chloride, but sometimes acrylonitrile...
ticketing system for public transport in Oita Prefecture
Oita Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan on Kyūshū Island. The prefectural capital is the city of Ōita.- History :Around the 6th century Kyushu consisted of four regions: Tsukushi-no-kuni 筑紫国, Hi-no-kuni 肥国, and Toyo no kuni...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Oita Bus, Oita Kōtsū and Kamenoi Bus introduced the system on December 26, 2010. Like other electronic fare collection systems in Japan, the card uses FeliCa
FeliCa
FeliCa is a contactless RFID smart card system from Sony in Japan, primarily used in electronic money cards. The name stands for Felicity Card...
, RFID
Radio Frequency Identification
Radio-frequency identification is a technology that uses radio waves to transfer data from an electronic tag, called RFID tag or label, attached to an object, through a reader for the purpose of identifying and tracking the object. Some RFID tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the...
technology developed by Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
. The cute design combines Nimoca
Nimoca
is a rechargeable contactless smart card ticketing system for public transport in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Nishi-Nippon Railroad introduced the system on May 18, 2008. Its name is an acronym of "nice money card", while in Japanese means "also," as the card is usable also on buses, also on...
mascot Ferret with Mejiron (めじろん?), the mascot character widely loved as Oita Prefecture's cheering squad.
As of December 2010, the card is usable for some local bus lines by Oita Bus and Oita Kōtsū for Oita. On March 20, 2011, the card is also usable for all the bus lines by the operators.
At the same time Mejiron nimoca was introduced, the three operators also introduced Nimoca, meaning the latter card is also usable in those lines. As Mejiron nimoca and Nimoca have integrated services, SUGOCA
SUGOCA
is a Japanese rechargeable contactless smart card ticketing system for public transport in Fukuoka Prefecture and environs. The Kyūshū Railway Company introduced the system on 1 March 2009...
, Hayakaken
Hayakaken
is a rechargeable contactless smart card ticketing system for public transport in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Fukuoka City Transportation Bureau introduced the system from 7 March 2009. Its name stands for , , , and . also means "Because it's quick" in Kyūshū dialect...
and Suica
Suica
is a rechargeable contactless smart card used as a fare card on train lines in Japan. Launched in November 2001, the card is usable currently in the Kantō region, at JR East stations near Sendai and Niigata...
are also usable in Mejiron Nimoca-accepting area.
Usable area
As of March 2011- Buses:
- Oita Bus: All local bus lines, and some express bus lines.
- Oita Kōtsū: All local bus lines and Airliner airport report bus lines.
- Kamenoi Bus: All local bus lines.
- Others (as electronic moneyElectronic moneyElectronic money is money or scrip that is only exchanged electronically. Typically, this involves the use of computer networks, the internet and digital stored value systems...
): All LawsonLawson (store)Lawson, Inc. is a convenience store franchise chain in Japan. The store originated in the U.S. State of Ohio, but today exists as a Japanese company and is the second largest convenience store chain in the country....
stores in Oita Prefecture.
Types of cards
- nimoca: Does not require registration.
- Star nimoca: Requires registration. It can be reissued when a user lost it.
- Credit nimoca: A credit cardCredit cardA credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services...
with the above functions.
These three cards can be issued either as prepaid cards
Stored-value card
A stored-value card refers to monetary value on a card not in an externally recorded account and differs from prepaid cards where money is on deposit with the issuer similar to a debit card...
or commuters passes
Season ticket
A season ticket is a ticket that grants privileges over a defined period of time.-Sport:In sport, a season ticket grants the holder access to all regular-season home games for one season without additional charges. The ticket usually offers a discounted price over purchasing a ticket for each of...
.