The Shanghai Public Transportation Card (SPTC) or Jiaotong Yikatong (simplified Chinese: 上海公共交通卡; pinyin: Shànghǎi gōnggòng jiāotōng kǎ also known as simplified Chinese: 交通一卡通; pinyin: Jiāotōng yī kǎtōng) 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.

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.

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 RMB 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).

Discounts based on the SPTC

The following discounts are available to Shanghai Public Transportation Card holders:

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.