Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 4 hrs ago
Seven Japanese rail operators to replace magnetic tickets with QR tickets
Seven rail operators in Japan will switch to QR tickets from spring 2027, replacing magnetic tickets sold for short trips.
The change involves JR East, Keisei, Keikyu, Sendai Airport Transit, Tokyo Monorail, Tobu and Hokuso Railway.
Passengers will scan the QR code at a ticket gate and put the ticket in a collection box when leaving.
Where a station has no compatible gate, passengers can get help at a staffed counter.
A shared system will allow tickets to cross company lines, and the tickets will be usable across all routes and stations run by the seven operators.
The change responds to the difficulty of maintaining magnetic-ticket machines and gates; other rail companies are still coordinating, and those starting service from fiscal 2027 onward will announce their plans later.
Seven Japanese railway operators will replace magnetic tickets with QR-code tickets from spring 2027.
The tickets will cover short-distance fares bought at ticket machines and be usable across all routes and stations of the seven operators.
The operators will manage ticket information through a shared system, allowing QR tickets to be issued for journeys across company networks.
Passengers will scan the QR tickets at ticket gates and place them in collection boxes when exiting.
The change follows concerns about the difficulty of maintaining magnetic-ticket gates and vending machines.
- Who
- JR East, Keisei Electric Railway, Keikyu, Sendai Airport Transit, Tokyo Monorail, Tobu Railway and Hokuso Railway.
- What
- The seven operators will replace magnetic short-distance tickets with QR-code tickets.
- When
- Service is due to begin in spring 2027.
- Where
- Across all routes and stations of the seven operators in Japan.
- Why
- Maintaining gates and vending machines for magnetic tickets has become difficult.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Eight railway companies announced a policy to replace magnetic tickets.
Shin-Keisei Electric Railway was absorbed by Keisei Electric Railway.
The seven operators announced the QR-ticket service.
The QR-ticket service is scheduled to begin.
- Participating operators
- JR East, Keisei, Keikyu, Sendai Airport Transit, Tokyo Monorail, Tobu and Hokuso
- Launch
- Spring 2027
- Ticket type
- Short-distance tickets issued at vending machines
- Coverage
- All routes and stations of the seven operators
- Ticket handling
- Scan at entry; place in a collection box when exiting
Sources
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