iPASS (Chinese: 一卡通; pinyin: yī kǎ tōng; Zhuyin Fuhao: ㄧ ㄎㄚˇ ㄊㄨㄥ) is a contactless smart card operated by the iPASS Corporation. Starting from February 13, 2017, both EasyCard and iPASS are accepted for virtually all public transport in Taiwan, including rapid transit, buses, and Taiwan Railway services. It also serves as an electronic wallet.
 | |
| Location | Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Launched | December 2007 |
| Technology | |
| Manager | iPASS Corporation |
| Currency | TWD (NT$10,000 maximum load) |
| Stored-value | Pay as you go |
| Credit expiry | None |
| Website | www |
History
editiPASS was originally operated by the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation. It was released in December 2007 and began to operate in March 2008 along with the opening of the Kaohsiung Metro. The operation of iPASS was transferred to iPASS Corporation in early 2014, and subsequently added electronic wallet functionality in addition to its use as a transportation card.[1]
In September 2018, iPASS launched iPASS Money in collaboration with LINE Pay, allowing users to transfer money to other LINE users and pay merchants through the LINE app. This made iPASS the first smart card provider in Taiwan to seek approval from the Financial Supervisory Commission to offer digital payment services.[2]
Usage
editAs of November 2023, iPASS is accepted for payment at:[3]
- All Taipei Metro, New Taipei Metro, Taoyuan Metro; Taichung Metro, and Kaohsiung Metro stations
- Taiwan Railway stations
- City, coach, and tourist shuttle buses in Taiwan
- Ferries in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Kinmen
- YouBike
- 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart stores in Taiwan
- Various other merchants (full list)
- Scenic areas including Taipei Zoo and National Palace Museum (full list)
iPASS is compatible with wearable contactless wallets including Garmin Pay and Fitbit Pay.[2]
Availability
editThe adult standard card is sold at:
- Kaohsiung Metro, Taipei Metro, Taichung Metro, and Taoyuan Metro stations
- 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK Mart convenience stores
- Taoyuan International Airport and Kaohsiung International Airport
In addition to a standard adult stored-value card, iPASS offers co-branded credit and debit cards, customized cards for large enterprises or schools, and cards for seniors, small children, students, and persons with disability certificates.
References
edit- ^ Li, Xingqiu (2022-11-02). "高鐵納入一卡通？ 交通部承諾努力" [Will high-speed rail be included in iPASS? The MOTC is committed to it]. Yahoo News (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ a b Su, Wenbin (2019-06-24). "推電子支付力拼金融科技轉型，一卡通靠IT建立支付生態系" [Promoting electronic payment and striving for financial technology transformation, iPASS relies on IT to build a payment ecosystem]. iThome (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ "Transportation - iPASS一卡通". www.i-pass.com.tw. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
External links
edit- Official website (in English)