Pasmo rechargeable integrated-circuit transit-fare cards will only be sold to people who buy commuter passes until August because stocks of the extremely popular card are running out, the firm that issues the cards said Wednesday.
As of Monday, 3 million Pasmo cards had been sold. Pasmo Co. had predicted that 2 million cards would be sold in the first month and there are now only about 1 million left. The company has ordered an additional 3 million cards but delivery is not expected until August.
Pasmo Co. said it will issue the card, which covers most train, subway and bus lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area, only to people who buy a commuter pass with the card.
The Pasmo card, which debuted March 18, is a rival of the Suica IC card issued by East Japan Railway Co. Starting in March, Suica cards can also be used on trains and buses of about 60 different transport companies in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures.
Pasmo Co. will also stop accepting selling Pasmo cards to people who want to have their credit cards automatically debited. With the credit card service, users can register credit cards so they will be automatically debited when when their Pasmo card balance goes below 2,000 yen.