What is an electronic wallet on an In Karta card?

An electronic wallet on an In Karta card (EPIK) is an electronic payment means.

Electronic money is deposited on this payment means, i.e. directly in the In Karta card’s chip. When recharging (crediting) the electronic wallet and paying (debiting) from it, the In Karta card must always be physically present (to be read by a functional card reader).

Detailed terms and conditions for use of an electronic wallet are elaborated in the General Terms and Conditions for the Issue and Use of an In Karta Card as an electronic monetary means holding electronic money (OP EPIK).

The distribution points for activating an electronic wallet, for recharging an electronic wallet, for claiming a refund for payments made using an electronic wallet and for reverse exchanges of money from an electronic wallet are all ticket counters equipped with a sales system for electronic ticket sales and an In Karta card reader (all stations with a ČD ticket counter).

For every electronic wallet, there is a technical account which serves to archive all electronic wallet transactions and is used to resolve cases of damage to an In Karta card with an electric wallet, loss or theft of an In Karta card with an electric wallet, for support in resolving non-standard transaction states, for providing information to customers, for supporting the bonus programme, for handling rights (claims) exercised under the transport contract, and for refunds for merchandise. There is also a so-called “electronic money (EP) account” for every electronic wallet. This account allows for temporary storage of electronic money prior to its physical transfer into the electronic wallet chip. This account is used to store electronic money for bonuses granted in connection with purchases of travel documents, refunded amounts arising from the exercise of one’s right (claim) under the transport contract, recharging the electronic wallet in the ČD e-shop, etc.

Activation and recharging (crediting an electronic wallet on an In Karta card)

Activation and subsequent charging of an electronic wallet on an In Karta card (EPIK) can only be performed at stations equipped with a ticket counter for electronic issue of tickets using an In Karta card reader. An electronic wallet can be activated only by depositing cash in CZK or by making a deposit with a payment card, provided this service is offered at the ticket counter in question (i.e. at a station that allows payments using payment cards). It is also possible to recharge your electronic money (EP) account in the ČD e-shop and thereby also to activate your electronic wallet.

The minimum value of a deposit is CZK 100; the maximum value of electronic money stored in an electronic wallet on an In Karta card corresponds to EUR 150 converted into CZK according to the current daily Czech National Bank exchange rate, and follows from Act No. 284/2009 Coll., on payments.

To recharge the electronic wallet, the customer hands the In Karta card to the cashier to perform the credit transaction. The sales system will automatically recharge the electronic wallet from the electronic money (EP) account if there is a positive balance in the electronic money account during any attempted electronic wallet transaction at a ticket counter. Only in this case may the customer place the In Karta card on the card reader during an electronic wallet recharge. It is also possible to request that the cashier recharge your electronic wallet from your electronic money account as a separate operation. The customer will always receive a confirmation of the electronic wallet recharge as a separate document. For charging transactions involving the payment of credited amounts using a payment card at the ticket counter, the customer normally also receives a receipt from the bank terminal.

At sales points of the company GW Train Regio, a.s., it is not possible to recharge (credit) an electronic wallet on an In Karta card (EPIK).

Reverse exchange of electronic money (EP)

In accordance with Act No. 284/2009 Coll., on payments, ČD allows for one-off withdrawals of electronic money (EP) from an electronic wallet on an In Karta card (EPIK), by means of a so-called reverse exchange (ZPV). A reverse exchange can only be performed at ticket counters with a functioning In Karta card reader.

In a reverse exchange transaction, the customer always hands over the In Karta card to the cashier. A reverse exchange can be performed on the basis of a request by an In Karta cardholder during the In Karta card’s term of validity in the nominal value for coins and banknotes or by means of a cashless transfer to the account of the cardholder or that of his or her legal representative (for children under 15 years of age and possibly also other persons for whom a legal representative has been designated), who must credibly demonstrate his or her identity by presenting a document issued by a state administrative body (civic identification card, passport, driving licence, foreigner’s residence permit, or an identification documents of a citizen of another EU member state).

The minimum electronic money (EP) balance for a reverse exchange (ZPV) is CZK 200. The amount due to cover the costs of the reverse exchange is CZK 50 (per the General Terms and Conditions). The customer will receive a confirmation of the reverse exchange transaction.

Purchasing a ticket at the ticket counter

At the time of payment, the customer places the In Karta card on the card reader; the cashier, however, is always entitled to request that the In Karta card be handed over and to perform the payment transaction himself/herself.

When purchasing just one inland ticket, it is possible to perform the purchase using the so-called fast payment method. The customer first announces the purchase of only one inland ticket with payment using electronic money (EP). The customer then places the In Karta card on the card reader only once and the confirmation of payment becomes part of the issued ticket. The electronic money (EP) balance is also specified on the ticket.

Within one standard payment transaction using electronic money (EP), it is possible to purchase up to five items. When purchasing, it is therefore essential for the customer to always inform the cashier prior to initiating the sale of whether he or she will be purchasing just one inland ticket or several travel documents paid for using electronic money (EP). When purchasing several travel documents in one payment transaction it is necessary, if called upon to do so by the cashier, to place the In Karta card on the card reader twice – once when starting the transaction and again at the time of payment. It is not necessary, however, to hold the card on the reader for the duration of the purchase. The customer will receive a confirmation of payment for the entire purchase as a separate document.

It is also possible to pay using ČD electronic money (EP) when making purchases in GW Train Regio, a.s., ticket offices.

Purchasing tickets on the train

The customer must announce payment with electronic money (EP) in advance; he or she must always hand over the In Karta card to the conductor.

One payment transaction with electronic money (EP) can be used to pay for only one ticket; a confirmation of payment is part of the ticket.

It is also possible to pay using ČD electronic money (EP) when making purchases from GW Train Regio, a.s. conductors in regions Karlovy Vary, Hradec Králové and Moravia-Silesia.

Purchasing documents at a ticket vending machine (UNIPAJ)

At UNIPAJ ticket vending machines, it is possible to pay for only one document with one payment transaction using electronic money (EP); a confirmation of payment is part of the document.

It is not possible to pay using ČD electronic money (EP) when making purchases from ticket vending machines operated by the company GW Train Regio, a.s.

Exercising one’s right under the transport contract for travel documents paid for using an electronic wallet

When exercising rights under the transport contract, authorised refunds are performed, for reasons of protecting the customer, in the form of electronic money (EP) refunded to the electronic money (EP) account from which the travel document was paid.

If the exercised right under the transport contract is not handled at the ticket counter, authorised refunds are returned to the bank account or address specified on the receipt for the exercised right under the transport contract.

Refunds for merchandise

When claiming a refund for merchandise at the ticket counter, authorised refunds are performed, for reasons of protecting the customer, in the form of electronic money (EP) refunded to the electronic money (EP) account from which the travel document was paid.

Refunds for electronic wallet transactions

It is normally possible to perform an electronic wallet refund transaction at the ticket counter in the train station or by e-mail on the address osobnipreprava@opt.cd.cz. It is also possible to request a refund for a transaction using the contact form.

Easy purchases with an electronic wallet

The electronic wallet on your In Karta card can be used to pay for inland as well as international tickets, reservation documents and merchandise.

You can activate the electronic wallet on your In Karta card at any ticket counter equipped with a card reader. At a ticket counter equipped with a card reader, you can also recharge your electronic wallet or claim a refund.

The minimum value of a deposit is CZK 100; the maximum value of electronic money stored in an electronic wallet on an In Karta card (EPIK) corresponds to EUR 150 converted into CZK according to the current daily Czech National Bank exchange rate, and follows from Act No. 284/2009 Coll., on payments. It is possible to recharge an electronic wallet using cash in CZK, at selected stations also using a bank payment card, and in the ČD e-shop using your electronic wallet account as well. With the electronic wallet on your In Karta card, you can pay:

• at ticket counters equipped with a card reader (including ticket counters operated by GW Train Regio, a.s.*)
• from conductors on the train (including GW Train Regio, a.s., conductors*)
• at ticket vending machines in stations (except for GW Train Regio, a.s., ticket vending machines)

*) At sales points of the company GW Train Regio, a.s., it is not possible to recharge (credit) an electronic wallet on an In Karta card (EPIK). Returned amounts from voided documents paid for using the electronic wallet are credited to the electronic wallet account.

Electronic money (EP) balance transfer

Money deposited on your In Karta card with an activated electronic wallet can also be transferred to a different In Karta card (e.g. when an In Karta card expires).

The transfer of an electronic money (EP) balance to a different In Karta card is performed free of charge.

1. Immediate transfer of an electronic money (EP) balance from a valid In Karta card to a different In Karta card

An instant transfer can be performed from a valid (unblocked) In Karta card with a functioning chip (source In Karta card) to any other In Karta card (target In Karta card).

General terms and conditions for an electronic money (EP) balance transfer:

• Prior to the actual transfer, the electronic wallet on your In Karta card is automatically credited (recharged) with any eventual balance in your electronic money (EP) account, up to the maximum limit of the electronic wallet on your In Karta card.
• The sum which is transferred is the sum deposited on the “source” In Karta card in the electronic wallet (in the chip).
• Not transferred are unused recharge vouchers, claims to bonuses arising since the last crediting of bonuses to the electronic wallet account until the date of the transfer, eventually any balance on the electronic wallet account which could not be credited to the electronic wallet on your In Karta card due to having reached the limit.
• Unclaimed vouchers for recharging electronic money (EP) and claims to bonuses remain tied to the source In Karta card.
• The In Karta card to which the balance of electronic money (EP) is transferred need not be physically present at the time of the request, although it must be valid and must not be blocked.
• The customer always hands over the source In Karta card to the cashier to perform the transfer. If the electronic money (EP) balance is transferred to an issued target In Karta card and the customer requests the recording of the transferred amount from the electronic money (EP) account to the electronic wallet of the target In Karta card, the customer must hand over this In Karta card to the cashier for purposes of performing the transaction.

a) Immediate transfer of an electronic money (EP) balance to a duplicate In Karta card prior to issue

• In the event of a request for a duplicate In Karta card while retaining the original In Karta card (e.g. change of name) it is essential to request an instant transfer of the source In Karta card’s electronic money (EP) balance to the duplicate card prior to issuing the duplicate card.
• If you do not do so, the source In Karta card will be automatically blocked when the duplicate card is issued and the transfer of the electronic money (EP) balance will be performed per point 2.b. below.

b) Instant transfer of an electronic money (EP) balance to a continuing In Karta card

• A continuing In Karta card can be requested up to 26 months prior to the end of the original In Karta card’s term of validity and it is possible, for the duration of this period, to have both valid In Karta cards with an activated electronic wallet.
• The transfer of an electronic money (EP) balance to a continuing In Karta card can be performed repeatedly at any time during the source In Karta card’s term of validity and no later than on its last day of validity.
• Unclaimed vouchers for recharging electronic money (EP) and claims to bonuses remain tied to the (valid) source In Karta card.
• If the period from the end of the original In Karta card’s term of validity until the date of issue of a continuing In Karta card is less than 7 days, we recommend requesting, at any ticket counter equipped with an In Karta card reader, a transfer of the original In Karta card’s electronic money (EP) balance to the as yet unissued continuing In Karta card no earlier than 5 days prior to the end of the term of validity and no later than on the last day of the original In Karta card’s term of validity. In this case, the transferred electronic money (EP) balance amount for recharging the electronic wallet of your continuing In Karta card will be immediately ready on your electronic money (EP) account upon issue of the continuing In Karta card.
• After the end of the original (source) In Karta card’s term of validity, a transfer will be performed together with the card’s automatic blocking her point 2.c. below.
• When blocking the original In Karta card, a transfer is performed per point 2.a. or 2.c. below, depending on the reason for the blocking.

c) Instant transfer of an electronic money (EP) balance to a different In Karta card

• An instant transfer of an electronic money (EP) balance to a different In Karta card can be performed at any time during the term of validity of the source In Karta card.
• Transfers to a different In Karta card constitute a form of reverse exchange and for this reason the cashier will always require the holder of the source In Karta card or the cardholder’s legal representative to establish his or her identity by means of an identification document. The following documents are considered identification documents: civic identification card, passport, driving licence, in the case of foreigners from EU countries also the usual valid identity document issued by a state administrative body in the relevant country (a so-called identity card).
• Unclaimed vouchers for recharging electronic money (EP) and claims to bonuses remain tied to the (valid) source In Karta card.
• After the end of the original (source) In Karta card’s term of validity with the card’s automatic blocking or when blocking the original In Karta card, requests for transfers of an electronic money (EP) balance proceed per point 2.d. below.

2. Transfer of an electronic money (EP) balance from an expired or blocked In Karta card

a) Transfer to a duplicate In Karta card in the event of loss or theft of an In Karta card

• The transfer will take place automatically, always 15 days following the date on which the original In Karta card was blocked.
• The amount transferred is calculated in view of the General Terms and Conditions.
• Any balance in the electronic money (EP) account of the original In Karta card, authorised bonuses, valid vouchers for recharging electronic money (EP) issued for the original In Karta card, and authorised refunds resulting from the exercise of a passenger’s right under the transport contract for travel documents purchased using the original In Karta card’s electronic wallet are also transferred into the electronic money (EP) account of the duplicate In Karta card.

b) Transfer to a duplicate In Karta card in other cases

• At present, transfers take place automatically, always 15 days following the date on which the original In Karta card was blocked, but we are preparing to shorten the period for the transfer to 7 days.
• Any balance in the electronic money (EP) account of the original In Karta card, authorised bonuses, vouchers for recharging electronic money (EP) issued for the original In Karta card, and authorised refunds resulting from the exercise of a passenger’s right under the transport contract for travel documents purchased using the original In Karta card’s electronic wallet are also transferred into the electronic money (EP) account of the duplicate In Karta card.

c) Transfer to a continuing In Karta card

• The transfer will take place automatically 7 days following the automatic blocking of the original In Karta card for reasons of its expiration.
• In other cases of a blocked original In Karta card, the transfer takes place 15 days following the card’s blocking, but we are preparing to shorten the period for the transferred to 7 days.
• Any balance in the electronic money (EP) account of the original In Karta card, authorised bonuses, valid vouchers for recharging electronic money (EP) issued for the original In Karta card, and authorised refunds resulting from the exercise of a passenger’s right under the transport contract for travel documents purchased using the original In Karta card’s electronic wallet are also transferred into the electronic money (EP) account of the continuing In Karta card.

d) Transfer of a balance to a different In Karta card

• The transfer can be performed on the basis of a request by the cardholder made at the ticket counter.
• The cashier will write down the request for a transfer on a refund application form and will always require that the cardholder or the cardholder’s legal representative demonstrate his or her identity with an identification documents (civic identification card, passport or driving licence, in the case foreigners from EU countries also the usual valid identity document issued by a state administrative body in the relevant country.
• It is also possible to place a request for a transfer by e-mail on the address osobnipreprava@opt.cd.cz
• Please include in your message: the number of the original In Karta card, surname, given name, date and place of birth of the cardholder.
• Also specify the number of the In Karta card, last name, given name, date and place of birth of the holder, to which the electronic wallets balance of the original In Karta card should be transferred.
• The transfer will take place no earlier than 7 calendar days following the last day of the In Karta card’s term of validity and no later than 30 days following the filling in of the refund application or delivery of a request in accordance with the In Karta refund policy.
• The amount of the electronic wallet balance as of the last day of validity will be transferred, as will the amount of the electronic money (EP) account balance as of the date of the transfer.
• For technical reasons, it is not possible to perform a transfer of bonuses arising in the month in which the transfer takes place, in accordance with the conditions of the bonus programme.

Should you have any difficulties, or if anything is unclear concerning the electronic wallet on an In Karta card (EPIK), please contact us using the Contact form.

Price schedule for In Karta without discount applications (with an electronic wallet)

Fees for transfer of an electronic money (EP) balance and handling of claims

Fees for operations connected with an In Karta card’s lifecycle (e.g. issue and activation of an In Karta card, issue of a duplicate) are governed by the TR 10 Tariff. Fees for services connected with the issue and use of an In Karta card and the amount covering the expenses for a reverse exchange of electronic money (EP) shall be paid from the electronic money (EP) balance in the electronic wallet.