The other day I bought myself a Beijing bus card. It was quite easy, basically I just said "我要刷卡 (wo yao shua ka)" and handed over 50 RMB. I got back a blue card and 30 RMB on it (it costs 20RMB "deposit", like you would ever return it)
So I climb on a bus, and now, instead of paying one RMB for my journey, I'm now paying 4 mao. Wow! So cool! What's that in American dollar terms?? So I think, maybe someday I'll make my 20 RMB back.
Next, I climb on the subway, and guess what. Unfortunately it still costs me three RMB to get on the subway.
Here's the catch. Some buses you only have to swipe the card when you get on. Other buses you have to swipe when you get on and when you get off. I'm not sure how this works, but on the buses where you have to swipe when you get off as well, apparently if you don't swipe when you get off, you get charged a total of four RMB!
That's not a saving! It's an extra expense of 3.6 RMB!! Now, who knows how many times I forgot to swipe while getting off those buses?? I found I spent that 30 RMB in one week! I must have forgotten a lot! (I take a bus and then the subway to and from work)
I think this card is getting me to spend even more money rather than save it!
In conclusion, is it worth it!? Maybe I'm just saving my time and saving myself the trouble of keeping one RMB notes/coins and paying for saving myself the trouble?
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