In a significant step towards sustainability, eight railway operators in east Japan, including East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) and the operator of the Tokyo Monorail to Haneda Airport, are embarking on a transition from traditional magnetic-backed paper tickets to ones solely bearing QR codes. This shift, set to commence from fiscal 2026 (March 2027), aims to reduce their environmental impact.
While most rail journeys on these lines are currently made using prepaid cards (such as Suica) or mobile apps, physical magnetic-backed tickets remain available at stations. However, the operators have decided to replace these tickets with paper QR code versions, eliminating the need for the complex infrastructure required for selling and processing magnetic-backed tickets.
Abolishing the magnetic-backed tickets, which contain metal components, in favor of ones made entirely of paper will not only streamline the recycling process but also reduce their environmental footprint. The magnetic parts of current tickets must be separated before recycling, a process that will no longer be necessary with the new QR code tickets.
To use the new paper tickets, passengers will simply scan them with QR code readers instead of inserting them into compatible ticket gates, which can sometimes experience jamming issues. Data on these tickets, as well as information on station entries and exits, will be shared among the participating companies for ease of use.
Among the eight firms that have announced this transition are Keisei Electric Railway Co. (operator of the Keisei Skyliner to Narita Airport) and Tobu Railway Co. (operator of the Tobu Skytree Line). This move underscores the commitment of Japanese rail operators to sustainability and innovation as they seek to enhance the passenger experience while minimizing their environmental impact.
