PASSNET

What it looks like ...

Front, showing the 'faces' of participating companies trains.

But what is it ?

This is a great little invention that started operation last October 14th (2000). It is a farecard that is used instead of buying normal tickets, and each time you use it, the fare is deducted from the balance. So you save time by not having to queue at ticket machines (and working out how to use them !!!). 

It is the size of a standard train pass (L=85mm x W=57.5mm). It is a good souvenir as the participating companies often have nice pictures on the front, and also at the end of the journey you do not lose your ticket in the machine.

It is available in 3 denominations, ¥1000, ¥3000, and ¥5000 for adult fares only. Most ticket machines of the participating companies will dispense this ticket.

There is NO expiry date, so if you don't use it up this time, keep it for your next trip !!!

How do I use it?

You just put it in the ticket machine like a 'normal' ticket and take it out when it pops up again as the gates open. Some companies may not have all their turnstiles converted yet, so they will have the Passnet symbol on the ones that accept it. 

If there is a need to use an automatic fare adjustment machine, those machines will also be able to read and debit from the Passnet card. It can also be used as a debit card to purchase tickets from the automatic ticket machines.

Be warned however if you try to transfer from one company to another e.g. from Keikyu to JR at Shinagawa. You will not be able to do this with the Passnet card as the gates will not open, strange Kanji will be displayed and lights will flash, bells will ring etc !!! You must exit one station and then re-enter the other.

This is the symbol to look for at station offices, ticket machines etc

Who accepts it?

The 20 participating Transportation Companies are as follows (as at early 2001) .....

Eidan Subway
Odakyu
Keio
Keisei
Sagami (Sotetsu)
Shin-Keisei
Seibu
Tama City Monorail
Tokyu
Tokyo Rinkai Kosoku
Tobu
Toyo Kosoku
Toei Subway
Hokuso Kaihatsu
Yurikamome
Yokohama Kosoku (Kodomo-no-kuni Line and Minatomirai21 Line)
Yokohama Subway
Keihin Kyuko
Saitama Kosoku
Maihama Resort Line (real name is Disney Resort Line)

On the different railway companies pages, you will see the following graphics ...

	The company does have the facility to sell and use the Passnet card.
	The company does not have the facility to sell and use the Passnet card.

How I used it ...

Back, showing the list of journeys taken and a running balance (here I still have ¥260 to use on my next visit to Japan !!!).

* - via Kamikatadai and return - if you don't leave the station, you don't pay a fare, so it calculated as if I had just gone from Tama Center to Tachikawa !!!

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