Kagoshima City Tram Allows Touch Payment on All Vehicles Instantly with Credit Cards and Smartphones[03/28 19:49]
From the 28th on the Kagoshima City Tram, a demonstration experiment of touch payment with credit cards and smartphones began on all vehicles.
(Reporter) “If you hold your credit card over the reader installed in the car, you can pay in a blink of an eye. It’s very convenient because you don’t need coins or charges.”
Until now, streetcar fares have been paid with cash and the unique IC card “Rapika.” In order to facilitate the handling of customers from outside the prefecture, which is expected to increase due to the National Sports Festival, etc., since last year, we have been conducting a demonstration experiment of “touch payment” in some vehicles by holding up a credit card or registered smartphone.
From the 28th, touch payment is now possible for all 55 vehicles. In addition to Visa, the number of compatible credit card companies has also been expanded to five: JCB, American Express, DinersClub, and Discover.
By speaking to the driver before touching the card or smartphone, it is possible to make a lump sum payment for multiple people and pay for children and people with disabilities.
At Kagoshima Chuo Station on the streetcar, on the 28th, a person who used touch payment was seen immediately.
(using customer)
“It’s convenient and helpful to be able to pay (for my child) all at once.”
“Even if I don’t have cash, I can ride as long as I have a card, so it’s easier.”
“Easy because no charging is required”
(Mr. Ryo Nakakiya, Chief of General Planning Division, Transportation Bureau) “This is a very convenient and easy-to-use service. We want you to use it and explore the city of Kagoshima on the streetcar.”
In the future, we plan to make Mastercard and UnionPay cards available. The demonstration experiment will be put into practical use until March 31, 2019, if there are no problems.
