Yomiuri: Kanto bus, train firms plan unified IC card
An integrated circuit money card to be jointly issued by 53 bus and train operators in the Kanto region in fiscal 2006 is expected to incorporate features previously available only from a Suica electronic money card, sources said Thursday. By charging the planned card with money, the holder would be able to use it for transportation services run by 53 bus and railway companies and shopping at stores that accept East Japan Railway Co.'s Super Urban Intelligent Card (Suica). Although the number of retailers that accept Suica cards remains limited compared with that of Edy electronic money, use of the provisionally named Passnet Bus IC Card may surge if private railways and buses become involved, turning it into the predominant electronic money.
These articles are always confusing since they refer to the likes of Tokyu, Odakyu, Seibu etc as "private railways" to contrast them with the JR companies which, since they were privatized are...er...private railways. Essentially it means the Passnet card, which currently looks like a telephone card, will be rechargeable and useable on the Kanto buses as well as the Metro and non-JR rail companies.
