Jiangsu province recently issued a public transport card that can be used in 13 cities within the　province. It is the first provincially accepted public transport card in China.

Buses, subways, trams and cabs in the following cities all accept this new "one-card-pass" to pay the public transport fare: Xuzhou, Suqian, Lianyungang, Huai'an, Yancheng, Yangzhou, Taizhou, Nantong, Zhenjiang, Changzhou, Wuxi, Suzhou and Nanjing- the provincial capital. Suzhou green bikes for public renting in the streets are excluded from the new system at the moment.

Frequently asked questions:

Q1: Can the current public transport card "Suzhou pass" be upgrade to the provincial pass?

A: No, the two cards use different technology and they are not compatible. If citizens want a provincial pass, they will need to purchase one.

Q2: How and where can people buy the provincial pass?

A: The card will cost 20 yuan. The locations to buy the new card are:

1. Ground floor of Dongrun Building, No.188 Sanxiang Road. Telephone 68633733

2. A206-2, second floor of South Area of Xinghai Square. Telephone 65212623

3. Office at No217Z Huhui Road (opposite the Zhuhui Restaurant). Telephone 65227971

4. Office at No56 Fenghuo Road. Telephone 68296688

5. Office at No826 Moye Road. Telephone 62576183

6. Office at No397 Changjiang Road, New District. Telephone 67729776

7. East wing of the Citizens Service Center of Xiangcheng District, Qingyuan Road, Xiangcheng District. Telephone 67729823

8. Office at No165 Dongwu South Road, Wuzhong District. Telephone 67723886

Q3: Do I have to replace my "Suzhou pass" with a provincial pass?

A: You can, but you do not have to. The current "Suzhou pass" can be used the same way, and it has always been used.

Q4: Does the provincial pass offer any discount?

A: Yes and no. You will receive a discount if you use the card in Suzhou on the condition that you　bought the provincial pass in Suzhou. The provincial pass offers the same discount as the "Suzhou pass", which means 40 percent off for buses, 0.5 percent off for the subway, and 30 percent off for trams. A card issued in the other 12 cities does not offer a discount in Suzhou.

Q5: What if the card is broken?

A: The card is guaranteed for three years. Within that period, you can bring the broken card and the RECIEPT issued when the card was bought to the offices listed above for a free replacement card, unless the damage is man-made. However, a new card can be bought and the money in the old account will be transferred into the new card account after 30 days.