Beijing metro to accept mobile payments via QR codes on April 29

Commuters using Beijing’s metro system will soon be able to utilize mobile payment platforms including WeChat Pay and Alipay to pay fares with the city’s new transit app. The service will be available on all but the Xijiao line from April 29, our sister site is reporting.

The Easy Pass (易通行 yitongxing) app will allow commuters to access the city’s metro system using QR codes.  It uses a “ride first, pay later” feature, in which fares are deducted only when leaving the station. Similar platforms have already been implemented in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Xi’an.

App users are also eligible to commute at the discounted rates of regular card holders. After spending RMB 100 in a month,  subsequent trips are subject to a 20% discount. This increases to 50% after spending RMB 150. However, when spending reaches RMB 400, deductions no longer apply.

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