Shenzhen residents are expected to be using all-in-one IC (integrated circuit) cards on public transport in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Zhuhai by the end of the year.

The city's bureau of communications, Shenzhen Metro and Shenzhen Bus Group will join a new company to build a new IC card system.

"The implementation of the system is to satisfy the demands of building the city into an international city and is an important service the government has provided for the public," said Vice Mayor Zhang Siping on Tuesday at the founding ceremony of the company, Shenzhentong Co. Ltd.

The present bus and Metro IC card systems will be upgraded and integrated into the new system by the end of the year.

Residents would be able to buy new IC cards at more than 100 outlets, including banks, Metro stations and bus stations, said Cao Yuebing, a spokesman for the company.

The company is now negotiating with companies in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Zhuhai to realize the integration of different IC card systems in the Pearl River Delta region.

The new IC cards can also be used for public telephone calls, access to museums, residential community services and small purchases at supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, convenience stores and vending machines.

In October 1996, Shenzhen Bus Group began issuing IC cards or prepaid bus tickets.

Official statistics show that city residents now hold a total of about 1.4 million IC cards that can be used on buses, the Metro and minibuses.

(Shenzhen Daily January 19, 2005)