Shanghai Metro to Support QR Code Payments Starting This Weekend

By Yuzhou Hu

The days of carrying cash around are slowly fading as Alipay and WeChat seem to cover almost all payment requirements. Last year, we reported Shanghai Metro's plan to implement QR code payment facilities, and the wait is almost over. According to the Shanghai Metro Operation Center, starting from this Saturday January 20, all 389 stations will commence test runs for accepting QR code payments.

In our previous report, we noted that this new function was only available at Longyang Road and Pudong International Airport metro stations, despite the turnstiles in many other stations showing they already had the new QR scanning device installed. Now, the convenience has extended to all the stations in Shanghai. To utilize the service, passengers need to download the official App 'Metro Daduhui' (Chinese for 'metropolitan') and complete the authentication process. 

READ MORE: Shanghai's Metro Stations to Support QR Code Payment

After choosing the payment they'd like to use, Alipay or UnionPay, passengers will receive their own QR code for Shanghai Metro (this process requires Bluetooth). Then, they can use the QR code to pass through the turnstile instantly.

The best part about this new service is that you can still walk through the turnstile without an Internet connection or the required balance in your account, as the fee can be paid after you travel.

The director of Shanghai Metro Operation Center advises that all the stations will be equipped with at least four turnstiles to support the new QR code service, two at the entrance and two at the exit. As to the newly-opened Line 17 and Phase 3 of Line 9, QR code scanning devices will be available at all turnstiles.

READ MORE: Shanghai Metro to Support Face-Scanning Payment and Voice-Recognition Ticketing

After this Saturday, the QR code service will officially become the fourth payment option available when taking the metro in Shanghai after tickets, IC cards and NFC payment. With face-scanning payments coming in the future, it's safe to say that these cutting-edge technologies are making life even easier.

[Images via The Paper]

This article was originally published by our sister magazine Urban Family (WeChat ID: urbanfamilyshanghai). Follow the Urban Family WeChat account by scanning the QR code below. Click "Read more" (阅读原文) below for more Shanghai news and guides from Urban Family.