Han Ximin

ximhan@126.com

THE number of riders who registered to use QR code payment for the subway reached 1.16 million in the week since all Shenzhen Metro stations started allowing passengers to scan a QR code for entry May 8.

On average, around 228,000 people used the QR codes a day, sources from Shenzhen Metro said Thursday.

On Metro Line 1 alone, 58,000 people used QR code payment each day.

The number of token ticket buyers a day dropped by 68,000 in the past week.

It’s a solution to the largest issue with the system, having to carry small change, and it also achieves the goals of safe payment and fast and easy access.

The operator estimates the number of QR code users will continue to rise.

At Window of the World Station, the interchange station of Line 1 and Line 2, many tourists come and go from the theme parks in the area via the station.

“It only takes 0.2 seconds for riders to pay via QR code, and it greatly increases the efficiency for riders. It is especially convenient for tourists,” said the head of the station, Chen Junming.

At present, the operator has installed the QR function at four turnstiles at each station. At some stations with a large passenger flow, such as Chegongmiao, Futian, Laojie and Houhai stations, the operator has set up at least 10 scanning turnstiles to support the service.

According to the operator, all of the turnstiles at Metro stations will have the QR function added for the convenience of riders.

To use the new payment option, riders just need to download the Shenzhen Metro app, Shenzhen Metro e-commuting, SZMTR Live+ or the Tencent mini-app WeChat Transport Code to tie their personal information so they can generate their own ride code before using the service.

The QR code doesn’t offer discounts for a ride.

Other cities that have implemented a QR code payment system for their subways include Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, which was the first city in China to offer the service.