Why did you change to the app?
Q:
The previous method of paying for the Gakushoku Pass using a transportation IC card was quite convenient, so why did they switch to an app? Problems include the need for a smartphone, the requirement for multiple registrations and logins within the app, poor signal reception at the Hongo Central Cafeteria, and the need to launch the app before making a payment. It seems unnatural to require a smartphone for the Gakushoku Pass, which previously only required a deposit and enough money to be deposited into the Gakushoku Pass. Furthermore, this transition was carried out arbitrarily and quickly, without any consideration for student opinion, and it clearly shows a disregard for users. Second, the app requires multiple logins. Since students already have a Gakushoku Pass, additional registrations and logins should be unnecessary, and this feels like an unnecessarily cumbersome process. Third, the Hongo Central Cafeteria has poor signal reception due to structural issues, and even if the university's wireless network is used, it is expected to be crowded during peak hours. Finally, it could potentially complicate the cash register process. Using the app requires multiple operations, such as unlocking the smartphone, logging in, selecting payment options, and selecting a cafeteria pass, which is expected to make the cafeteria even more crowded during peak hours, even with the one-touch cafeteria pass. I
would like to know why they made such a detrimental change that no student wanted. I hope they will return to the system using transportation IC cards.
A:
Thank you for your continued patronage of the Co-op. Thank you for your comment. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the transition from Gakushoku Pass to Gakushoku Money. The Gakushoku Pass system was linked to a POS register (manufactured by Toshiba TEC) that was used jointly by not only the University of Tokyo Co-op but also many other university co-ops in the Tokyo area. As part of a major system overhaul across the nationwide university co-op group, including the Tokyo area, the registers will also be changed. The Gakushoku Pass system, which was previously only used in the Tokyo area, has also been updated to a smartphone app: Gakushoku Money. We apologize for the inconvenience this system will cause our members. While the transition from Gakushoku Pass to Gakushoku Money is due to the nationwide system overhaul, all previous features (cashless use at co-op cafeterias, limited use for eating in, and viewing usage history and nutrition information on your personal page) will remain the same. In the future, we plan to implement point rewards for individual items, events, fairs, and other events. Additionally, the Co-op sells food items such as lunch boxes and drinks not only in the cafeteria but also in the store, but after the transition to the cafeteria money system, the scope of use has been expanded to include food items at the store. By promoting the spread of use between the cafeteria and the store, we hope to alleviate congestion as much as possible. Finally, we would like to individually consult and provide support to members who do not have smartphones but currently use the cafeteria pass. From a system perspective, we believe it is necessary to consider using and paying via methods other than smartphones. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the system changeover. We appreciate your continued support
