Pasmo


Pasmo is a rechargeable contactless smart card, electronic money system. It is primarily used for public transport in Tokyo, Japan, where it was introduced on March 18, 2007. Pasmo can also be used as a payment card for vending machines and stores.
Pasmo is a development of the Passnet system used by many non JR railway lines in the Tokyo region. The system offers interoperability with the JR East Suica system, as well as integrating private bus companies into the former Passnet network.
The technology is based on RFID technology developed by Sony corporation known as FeliCa. Pasmo is available as a credit-card-sized card.
As of April 2009, over 11 million cards are in circulation.

Companies and organizations accepting Pasmo

Railways

Most railway operators introduced the system simultaneously when Pasmo started.
Bus and tramway operators have been introducing Pasmo readers on their systems gradually.
On April 11, 2007, it was announced that sales of Pasmo fare cards would be limited to commuter rail pass purchases until August due to extremely high demand. It was originally predicted that approximately 2 million Pasmo cards would be sold in the first month, but about 3 million were actually sold, and stocks of Pasmo cards were running out. Sales of regular Pasmo cards resumed on September 10, 2007. Until this date, only Pasmo commuter rail passes could be purchased.

Usage with other systems

Through collaboration with JR East, passengers can use Pasmo cards wherever Suica cards are accepted to ride nearly any railway, metro, or bus in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Transit systems/lines outside the Pasmo system but usable with the Pasmo card include:
From July 22, 2014, Pasmo cards can be used to pay for Wii U Nintendo eShop digital video games with the NFC function of the Wii U GamePad.