Beijing's "One Card Pass" for Transport

Beijing's "One Card Pass" is a kind of contactless IC card. Users complete the payment process by putting the card in the induction zone of the card reader. Using "One Card Pass" in Beijing can save time for people to queue up to buy the tickets, such as the subway ticket, public bus tickets etc. In addition, passengers can enjoy a forty percent discount when take public buses. The card can be top-up and used repeatedly. And "One Card Pass" can also be used for the payment of public phones, movie theatres, department stores, drugstores, taxi, etc.

Where to buy "One Card Pass"
Travelers can buy "One Card Pass" at most of the ticket offices in the subway station in Beijing and recharge the card. But before you applying for the card, you’d better ask the staff in the subway station for information to avid any trouble.

Beijing Railway Station: passengers can not purchase the card in the subway station inside the railway station. Passengers should first go out of the railway station and buy one-way subway ticket at the ticket office in the Exit D. then there is a "One Card Pass" office in the east of the station. It is recommended that passengers can buy one-way subway ticket and take the subway to the destination. When he exits from the station, he can purchase the card.

►Beijing West Railway Station: passengers can purchase the card when he exits from the railway station. The purchase office is located in transport platform in the east of the north square in the railway station.

►Beijing South Railway Station: passengers do not have to exit the railway station. They can enter the subway station inside the railway station. And the passengers can purchase the One Card Pass at the entrance of the subway station.

►Beijing International Airport: passengers can purchase the card at the ticket office of the Airport Express Line.

Note: when passengers are applying the card, no certificate is needed. And there is no limit for the number of the card applied. Passengers can purchase cards in a time no matter how many they want. You get the card once you pay.

There is a 20 RMB deposit and charge at the same time. And a 20 RMB minimum for your first charge is needed. When you recharge the card, the amount of the money should be 10 yuan or the multiples of 10. Take a 5 – 7 days travel itinerary plan for a example, if travelers take the subway as transport means during these days, it will be enough by charging 50 yuan in the card.

How to use "One Card Pass"
People just have to swipe or touch the card over the he Octopus reader when they use it. But as for the transportation vehicles, different vehicles require different way to use it.
►For subway: passengers should swipe the card at the entrance barrier and once again at the exit barrier (destination station), except for taking the Airport Express Line. When passengers transfer the Airport Express Line from other subway lines, they should swipe the card again.

► For Bus: for buses of fixed ticket price, passenger should swipe the card when they get on and no need to swipe again when they get off. For buses that charge according to the distance, passengers should swipe the card when they get on and get off the buses. In addition, passengers can enjoy a forty percent discount when take public buses.

►For taxi: passengers should swipe the card when they arrive at their destination and get off the taxi.

►For making payment in the store: travelers can use the card to buy film tickets, to buy things in the stores etc. They should swipe the card when they pay for the productions.

When you are swiping the card, the amount taken and the remaining value will be presented after each transaction, so you know when the time to top up the card is. The card can be kept in a wallet or bag.

How to return "One Card Pass"
The key factor for returning "One Card Pass" successfully is to keep the card in good condition. That means the card to be returned should be in good appearance with no scratches, no fracture, no punching, no bending, no pasting etc. in addition, the remaining sum should be less than 100 yuan. The card that has a large remaining sum should be returned at specified card office.

When the card is returned, the deposit and the remaining money will be returned to the card holder. If the card is over drafted, the card holder should pay for the overdraft money first before he returns the card.

Passengers can not return the card at the railway stations and subways stations. Travelers should return the card after their sightseeing in the last day in Beijing. Travelers should ask the staff in the hotel or other people to know where to return the card.

Benefit of using "One Card Pass"
►You do not have to spend time buying a single journey ticket at Ticket Issuing Machines, or counting the exact amount of coins on buses and trams.

►You can enjoy a forty percent discount when take public buses.

►You can use the card to buy thing in some of the department stores. You do have to worry that you do not have enough RMB while shopping.

Related Information:
►More travel information: Beijing Travel Guide & Beijing Transportation
►Recommended Beijing Tour: 4 Days Best Beijing Tour (Attractions: Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall, Changling Tomb)