Shanghai Public Transportation Card
Encyclopedia
The Shanghai public transportation card (SPTC) or jiaotong yikatong ( also known as ) 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.
As of June 2006, the card has been interchangeable with the Wuxi Tai-Lake Transportation Card, and can also be used in Suzhou
.
Only the Standard card has a refundable deposit (30 RMB), 20 after November 2007); other cards cannot be refunded, but have a lower deposit (20 RMB) and are resaleable 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 100 yuan (which includes 10 yuan credit).
and Hongkou Football Stadium. 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.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, 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
Suzhou
Suzhou , previously transliterated as Su-chou, Suchow, and Soochow, is a major city located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in Eastern China, located adjacent to Shanghai Municipality. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Taihu Lake and is a part...
.
Purchase and funding
There are five types of SPTCs:- Standard
- Memorial
- Mini
- Personalized
- Watch
Only the Standard card has a refundable deposit (30 RMB), 20 after November 2007); other cards cannot be refunded, but have a lower deposit (20 RMB) and are resaleable 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
Overdraft
An overdraft occurs when money is withdrawn from a bank account and the available balance goes below zero. In this situation the account is said to be "overdrawn". If there is a prior agreement with the account provider for an overdraft, and the amount overdrawn is within the authorized 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 100 yuan (which includes 10 yuan credit).
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 StationShanghai Railway Station (Shanghai Metro)
Shanghai Railway Station Station is an interchange station between Lines 1, 3 and 4 on the Shanghai Metro. It is one of the stations where Line 3 and Line 4 share the same tracks and elevated platforms....
and Hongkou Football Stadium. 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.