Shenzhentong, the new all-in-one smart card payment system for public transport, will replace the old IC card system from mid-May, the manufacturer of the smart card said yesterday.

Wang Dongjun, vice general manager of Shenzhentong Corp, said that Shenzhentong readers had been installed in 96 bus routes, or 1,700 buses, by April 30.

The move has integrated the city's public transport payment system, which previously required different payment methods for the Metro and buses.

"Our data shows that many Shenzhentong cardholders started to use the new devices during the May Day holiday and the system itself is stable," Wang said.

"The old IC card system will be in use until June 15. Then all old IC card readers will be uninstalled," Wang said.

IC cardholders can have their cards replaced with the new Shenzhentong for free between May 15 and Aug. 15 at any of the 60 branches of Bank of China and Shenzhen Development Bank. Commuters can also replace their cards at seven bus terminals and the Shenzhentong Corp.

The balance amounts in the IC card will be transferred to the Shenzhentong, and there will be no refund.

After the integration is completed, the number of Shenzhentong holders is expected to increase from 500,000 to 1,500,000 by the end of this year, Wang said.

However, Wang denied the possibility of smart card integration among Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong before December.

"The goal this year is replacing all IC cards, and maybe extending our service to minibuses, convenient shops and parking places in the future."

Shenzhentong was first used in the Shenzhen Metro after the underground rail system began operating in December 2004. The local IC card payment system has a history of 10 years and more than 1.1 million users citywide. Shenzhen issued the first IC card in 1996.

(Shenzhen Daily May 9, 2006)