DESUCA

DESUCA Green Card commuter pass

DESUCA (ですか, Desuka^?) is a rechargeable contactless smart card ticketing system for public transport in Kōchi Prefecture, Japan, introduced from 25 January 2009. The card is issued by the DESUCA Company (株式会社ですか, Kabushiki gaisha Desuka^?), founded by Tosa Electric Railway (Tosaden) and Kōchiken Kōtsū. The name stands for the electric train (電車, densha^?) and bus (バス, basu^?) accepted card (カード, kādo^?).

The card claims to work positive for the environment, as it would encourage using public transport, thus reducing carbon emission. ^[1] A user is able to add its loyalty point by using the card, as well as by doing something "ecological", such as avoiding a disposable plastic bag at a store.

Usable area

The card is usable for the following operators' lines.

• Tosaden tram and bus lines
• Tosaden Dream Service (土佐電ドリームサービス^?) bus lines
• Kōchiken Kōtsū (高知県交通^?) bus lines
• Kenkō Hokubu Kōtsū (県交北部交通^?) bus lines
• Kōchi Kōryō Kōtsū (高知高陵交通^?) bus lines, between Susaki and Suginokawa or Yusuhara

The card also functions as an electronic money.

Types of cards

• Corresponding different ages, the card is classified into the three different "colors":
  • Orange Card: For elementary school students, usable until April 1 of 12 years old.
  • Green Card: For 12 years old and older.
  • Purple Card: For 65 years old and older.
• Corresponding functions, the three cards are each classified into three, making the nine different cards in total:
  • Unregistered card
  • Registered card: Needs registration. The card can be reissued when lost.
  • Commuter pass: Needs registration.

References

1. ^ 土電、県交が共通カード　バス、電車利用促進 (Tosa Electric Railway and Kōchiken Kōtsū will issue a common card, encouraging the use of buses and trains), The Kōchi Shimbun, 27 December 2007, retrieved on 30 December 2008. (Japanese)

External links

• Official website (Japanese)