SAPICA

SAPICA (サピカ, Sapika^?) is a rechargeable contactless smart card ticketing system for public transport in Sapporo, Japan. Sapporo City Transportation Bureau introduced the system from January 30 2009. The name of the card means "Sapporo's IC card". Sa' (サッ^?) is also the sound (onomatopoeia) of quickly pulling a card out and pi' (ピッ^?) is the sound equivalent to "beep". The card is issued by Sapporo Information Network Company (札幌総合情報センター株式会社, Sapporo Sōgō Jōhō Sentā Kabushiki Gaisha^?), the third sector (half public) company of Sapporo City Government.

The integrated service with Kitaca, a smart card system by JR Hokkaidō, was initially considered, but they decided to introduce the different systems because of the technical and financial difficulties. However, the two operators hope to start an integration service in future. ^[1]

From 2001 to 2004, Sapporo Municipal Subway experimented a different smart card called S.M.A.P. Card (S.M.A.P.カード, Sumappu Kādo^?).

Usable area

As of its introduction on January 30, 2009, the card is usable on Sapporo Municipal Subway Lines. The transportation bureau states the card will be usable on Sapporo Street Car and Sapporo City Bus as well in future.

Types of cards

• Unregistered SAPICA: For adults only.
• Registered SAPICA: For adults and children. A card can be reissued when a user lost it.
• SAPICA commuter's pass: For adults and children, with registrations.

References

External links

• (Japanese) Official website
• (Japanese) Sapporo Information Network Company