It's Time bangkok's commuters had a pre-paid smart card

Public buses will only take cash while the Skytrain and subway have separate stored-value cards. And if you drive, Phase 1 and Phase 3 expressways will accept coupons and smart cards but Phase 2 will only accept cash or coupons for payment. So drivers will have to remember which payment instruments each tollgate will accept. Also if you drive out of the city and get on the motorway, it will only recognise cash.

This is a real inconvenience, isn't it? Have you ever wondered why, with today's computer and network technologies, all these transportation provi-ders can't get together and agree on one card system? Wouldn't it be nice for Thailand to have a single card for multiple uses?

For many years all developed Asian countries have implemented stored-value smart card systems and their usage goes beyond transit services. Cardholders can now show their card to buy food and drinks at most popular outlets like McDonald's and Starbucks, fill up at petrol stations, pay phone bills and make many other transactions.

The card that I found has the widest usage is the Suica card in Japan.

You can get on their nationwide train system, which is the heart of Japanese public transportation, with this card.

You can start using this card from the airport to town via their airport express, get around town on buses and board inner-city trains - and even pay for the bullet train fare.

You can also use it for food and drinks at convenience stores or electronics and gadgets at popular stores like Yodobashi or BIC Camera.

You can also top up the card wherever it is accepted.

Similar cards are the Octopus in Hong Kong and Ezlink in Singapore.

Both of them have similar purposes and usage. Singapore's Ezlink card can also be used in government offices and many health centres.

Some of the benefits of smart cards are:

l One card for all eliminates the need to carry several cards.

l Save time by topping up value for only one card instead of performing several credit transactions at various card issuers.

l Do away with carrying extra cash for daily necessities.

l Security and budget control for children acquiring services.

l Faster payment times and shorter queues at points of use.

If you are a multi-mode transportation commuter - Skytrain, underground, expressway, motorway, bus or even taxi - you are sure to appreciate such a card.

All over the world this smart card, some call it a prepaid card, has been a great marketing tool for financial services as well as for retailers and service providers.

The smart card has sprung from the mass-transportation industry and entered other retail points of sale.

The number of cardholders has increased steadily.

Some consumers may not meet the eligibility requirements for credit cards, so financial institutions have introduced this smart card to serve this segment.

As for retailers and service providers, the acceptance of the card reduces cash transactions, which simplifies cash collection and handling.

All processing is done electronically. Sales also increase due to ease of purchasing and decision-making.

The smart or prepaid card concept is not new here. Similar cards were introduced many years ago but due to their limited coverage they did not gain popularity.

Today many retailers, food outlets and educational institutions issue their own cards for in-house use only.

I gather that there have been developments for the relaunch of this multipurpose card and they should reach consumers soon.

Hopefully this time around the negotiations with various transportation operators will be fruitful.