On August 26th, both of JR Shikoku and JR West announced that ICOCA cards designed by JR Shikoku would be sold at the stations in JR Shikoku from spring.
The card is named SHIKOKU ICOCA. It's based on blue color and the image of Marine Liner Rapid Trains are printed on the card. The price will be 2000 JPY. Takamatsu, Hashioka, Sakaide, Utazu, Marugame ,and Tadotsu will be sales offices. The card won't be used for commutation.
JR Shikoku will really install ICOCA service at every station between Takamatsu and Tadotsu, as well as between Kojima and Utazu. Though ICOCA service has already been taken place at Takamatsu and Sakaide, passengers using these 2 stations have confronted some limitations. For examle, users can move only in Okayama or Fukuyama area, and they can't store money in their cards in JR Shikoku area. After the next spring, Storing money into the card, using the card when getting and alighting trains, and purchasing the card will be available at 13 stations in JR Shikoku.
ICOCA has been prepaid train ticket sold by JR West since 2003. This November will be the 10th anniversary of the card. The number of issued cards amount 8.17 millions.
It shows Takamatsu area is a part of Okayama Metropolitan area.
