Link: Japan’s tap-to-pay Suica train card system aims to go tapless with walk-through gates, location data scans

JR East plans to introduce walk-through gates for Suica users within the next decade, eliminating the need to physically tap cards. This development follows the launch of the Suica prepaid card system in 2001, a notable advancement in streamlining passenger flow in Japan.

The intended walk-through technology will leverage GPS data from Suica app users' phones to calculate fares based on their transit journey. While details are sparse, the system may not require location data for operation.

Further enhancements to the Suica system are expected, such as increasing the recharge limit to 20,000 yen by 2026.

Plans also include extending Suica payment capabilities to train stations outside the current Suica area by 2027.

Moreover, the future updates will allow linking credit cards or bank accounts directly to the Suica app, facilitating simpler transactions without pre-loading funds.

These innovations aim to further simplify and expedite the process of using public transport in Japan, enhancing user experience significantly. #

--

Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.