Easycard
 |
|
| Location | Mainly Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan and Taichung Also used in other parts of Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Launched | June 2002 |
| Technology | |
| Manager | EasyCard Corporation |
| Currency | New Taiwan dollar (NT$10,000 maximum load) |
| Stored-value | Pay as you go |
| Credit expiry | None (must reactivate after 2 years of inactivity) |
| Website | http://www.easycard.com.tw/english/index.asp |
The EasyCard (Chinese: 悠遊卡; pinyin: yōuyóu kǎ) is a contactless smartcard system operated by the EasyCard Corporation, which was previously named the "Taipei Smart Card Corporation", for payment on the Taipei Metro (also known as "Taipei MRT", or "Taipei Rapid Transit System"), buses, and other public transport services in Taipei since June 2002, expanded to multiple place of business. Its use has also since been expanded to include convenience stores, department stores, supermarkets, taxis, and other retailers since April 1, 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.
The Taipei Smart Card Corporation was established in 2000 with a total capitalization of NT$500 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 2009, the company had issued over 18 million cards (over 20 million if co-branded cards are included). 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.
The name EasyCard was chosen in a contest where the general public was asked to propose names. In Mandarin Chinese the card is known as 悠遊卡 (Pinyin: Yōu-yóu Kǎ), which literally means Easy Travel Card. 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.
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