Alipay has won a competitive bid to be the sole QR code payment provider for passengers on the Hong Kong subway.
Under the terms of the deal, AlipayHK will design and build a new mobile-payment system for MTR that allows users to use the mobile app to pay for subway rides, removing the need to buy a single-journey tickets or refill a subway pass.
Set for go live in 2020, users will be able to gain access by simply scanning their phones at turnstiles in 91 metro stations.
“After our collaboration with minibus operators, AlipayHK is thrilled to have won the bid in being MTR’s QR Code payment-system provider,” AlipayHK CEO Jennifer Tan said. “Not only is this a recognition in AlipayHK’s technological stability, we feel confident QR Code transit technology will be successfully expanded into more aspects.”