Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 21 hrs ago
JR East plans touchless ticket gates at 40 stations in 2028
JR East plans touchless ticket gates at 40 Tokyo-area stations in spring 2028.
Passengers will need the Mobile Suica app on their smartphones to use them.
Antennas fitted to existing gates will use wireless technology, so passengers can walk through without holding a phone next to a reader.
The first rollout will include every station on the Yamanote loop line, plus stations at Narita and Haneda airports and other Tokyo locations.
A trial is due to start in April 2027 at 14 stations, including Tokyo, Shinjuku and Shibuya.
The system is intended to make passing through gates easier, and JR East aims to expand it to about 550 stations by March 2032.
East Japan Railway Co. plans to introduce touchless walk-through ticket gates at 40 stations in the Tokyo area in spring 2028.
Passengers will need the Mobile Suica app on their smartphones to use the gates.
The system will use ultra-wideband wireless communication, so passengers will not need to hold their phones next to a reader.
A trial is due to begin in April 2027 at 14 stations, including Tokyo, Shinjuku and Shibuya.
JR East plans to extend the gates to about 550 stations with electronic scanner gates by March 2032.
- Who
- East Japan Railway Co. (JR East), a major Japanese train operator.
- What
- It plans to introduce touchless walk-through ticket gates at 40 stations.
- When
- Spring 2028. A trial is planned for April 2027.
- Where
- Stations in the Tokyo area, including stations on the Yamanote loop line and at Narita and Haneda airports.
- Why
- The system will let passengers pass through without holding their smartphones next to a reader.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
JR East plans to begin a trial at 14 stations, including Tokyo, Shinjuku and Shibuya.
JR East plans to launch the gates at 40 stations in the Tokyo area.
JR East plans to make the gates available at about 550 stations with electronic scanner gates in its service area.
- Stations in initial rollout
- 40 stations in the Tokyo area
- Trial start
- April 2027
- Trial locations
- 14 stations, including Tokyo, Shinjuku and Shibuya
- Technology
- Ultra-wideband wireless communication
- Planned wider rollout
- About 550 stations by March 2032