Grad student here. I’m looking to make my first commuters pass for the upcoming semester, but I’m not sure of a couple things, and so I wanted to ask any commuters pass owners here:
1. First, can you use a Apple Wallet (Digital Suica) or must it be a physical card?
2. Two, can buses also be covered as part of the commute?
My commute would look like this: Bus, JR (Totsuka), Railway (Tozai, Waseda)
Additional context:
My route is bus, JR and subway.
I spoke to a green booth station attendant about making one and they weren’t overly informative besides letting me know that I need to consult my school.
Thank you I’m advance!
4 comments
1. For Pasmo, yes. The initial application is via a web form and can be renewed from the phone.
2. AFAIK, there is a separate commuter pass for the bus and train. I see it in the options of Pasmo app.
Some bus companies don’t offer student commuter pass. Most do though. Whether it can be bought on the same card depend on the combination of the bus company and the train company. You have to check the bus company website.
Whether it can be loaded onto Apple Wallet probably depend on the complexity of your pass.
Maybe you should try find the route through Pasmo app? I found my route and then applied, then waited for 4 days for approval. After I got an email from them, I payed it with my credit card through the app. Now I have a mobile pasmo.
It’s unfortunate that you don’t mention what line. But, anyway.
What you need no make your 1st commuter pass:
1. Go to website like Jorudan to plan your route. Choose anything you like.
2. See any of the possible routes are covered by which IC card. You can simulate them through the JR website (suica) or PASMO.
3. Assuming you’re in Tokyo. if they’re fully JR or are covered by suica, then you can use Suica Digital. If they’re not JR (e.g., Tokyo Metro) Then most likely your commuter pass should be through PASMO. Use PASMO app instead.
4. The commuter pass covered by digital are WAY more limited than physical card. If you find available commuting route through jorudan but not through PASMO/suica website, chances are they have to use physical card.
5. Go to your school to print 通学証明書(Certificate for commuting to school). You’ll need this to get a student discount.
6. Make your commuting pass through app or visit one of the nearest station to make your pass. Some commuting pass only available with Japanese menu.
7. If you’re not in Tokyo, things are more streamlined, but chances you can use digital is drastically reduced.
Hope this helps.