EasyCard
The EasyCard (Chinese: 悠遊卡; pinyin: Yōuyóukǎ; lit. 'Easy Travel Card') is a contactless smartcard system operated by the EasyCard Corporation (previously the Taipei Smart Card Corporation) for payment on the Taipei Metro, buses, and other public transport services in Taipei since June 2002. Its usage has since expanded to other public transport services in major cities throughout Taiwan,
Overview
The EasyCard (Chinese: 悠遊卡; pinyin: Yōuyóukǎ; lit. 'Easy Travel Card') is a contactless smartcard system operated by the EasyCard Corporation (previously the Taipei Smart Card Corporation) for payment on the Taipei Metro, buses, and other public transport services in Taipei since June 2002. Its usage has since expanded to other public transport services in major cities throughout Taiwan, as well as convenience stores, department stores, supermarkets, taxis, and other retailers since 1 April 2010. Like conventional electronic fare systems, the card employs RFID technology to operate without physical contact. They are available for purchase at all metro stations and all chain convenience stores.
History
The Taipei Smart Card Corporation was established in 2000 with a total capitalization of NT$700 million. Shareholders include the Taipei City Government, the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, banks, bus companies, and other companies. Promotional trials of the card began in 2001, and the card was officially released in 2002. In 2008, the company changed its name to the EasyCard Corporation to increase branding and visibility. By April 2016, the company had issued over 60 million cards. EasyCard transactions now account for 91% of Taipei Metro system transactions, 92% of bus transactions, and 71% of parking lot transactions. Daily transactions reached 3.1 million in 2009.
Brand
The name EasyCard was chosen in a contest where the general public was asked to propose names. The logo, designed by Y&P Design Group, is composed of four different colored logos radiating outward, each representing something different: technology and unhindered travel, sustainable development, commitment, and efficiency. In 2003, the EasyCard logo won the 20th American Corporate Identity Award of Excellence.
Taipei Metro
Users of the card on the Taipei Metro are required to pass the card over the EasyCard sensor area on fare gates both entering and exiting the stations; the first pass registers the start of the journey and the second as the end. Fares deducted from the card depend on the distance traveled and whether a public bus was used within a transfer time frame (currently, one hour). Beginning in 2020, travelers using an IC Card such as EasyCard on Taipei MRT trains will receive a rebate of between 10 and 30% on all Taipei MRT fares, with the discount percentage based on the number of rides taken during the month. The rebate amount is deposited onto the IC card the next time the traveler uses the card on the Taipei MRT after the end of the respective month, but the rebate must be collected within six months. Prior to the current rebate scheme, IC card users were instead given an automatic 20% discount off every published fare. The EasyCard can also be used for the Maokong Gondola without any discounts.
Taichung MRT
The EasyCard can be used on the Taichung MRT.
Taoyuan Metro
The EasyCard are available for each station of the Taoyuan Airport MRT. Using the card to shuttle between the three stations from A12 station (Airport Terminal 1) to A14a station (Airport Hotel) is free.
Kaohsiung Metro
Users of the card can use the card on the Red and Orange Lines of the Kaohsiung Metro. Fares deducted from the card depend on the distance traveled and a 15% discount over single journey tokens, which is the same as iPASS. The Circular light rail enabled EasyCard usage from February 2018. The EasyCard can be topped up only at the information center of each station of Kaohsiung Metro. The add-value machines are scheduled to enable EasyCard add-value function in May 2018.
Taiwan Railway
The EasyCard is available for all stations of Taiwan Railway. Passengers holding the card can take all trains except Taroko Express, Puyuma Express, group trains, tourism trains, and specified operating trains. There is a 10% discount if the travelling distance is less than 70km.
Buses
The EasyCard can be used on most city bus systems and several inter-city bus in Taiwan. The card might not be accepted on several routes. In Taipei, passengers using Adult cards (including co-branded credit cards and debit cards), Student cards, or Concessionaire (Welfare) cards to transfer between Metro and bus within one hour, receive an NT$8, NT$6 and NT$4 discount respectively. The EasyCard machine prevents repeated transactions on the same card until the bus travels into the next paying section. In Taichung, users can enjoy a 10-kilometer free ride.
Taxis
A trial allowing the payment of taxi fares with the card was carried out in 2005 but this payment option was not then implemented on a wider level for taxi journeys.
Parking
The EasyCard is accepted in government-run parking lots and some privately run parking lots. Parking meters accept Easy Cards exclusively, charged in quarter-hour increments, and expire in due time like a normal meter. In Taipei, EasyCard is also accepted at public garages adjacent to Taipei Metro stations and in other areas of Taipei. As of 2008, the EasyCard can be used to pay for boat rides in areas such as Tamsui.
Designated retailers
As of 1 April 2024, EasyCards can now be used to pay for purchases at a variety of stores across Taiwan including 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Cosmed, OK Mart, Hi-Life, Starbucks, Muji, Daiso and Pacific SOGO. The EasyCard can now be used at over 10,000 retail outlets throughout Taiwan. In 2011, card usage is expected to be expanded to gas stations and fast food chains.
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