MTR to launch QR code tickets

Passengers will be able to use a QR code ticket on their mobile phone to take MTR train rides starting January 23.

Jointly launched by MTR Corp and AlipayHK, the new QR code payment service will be available at all 93 MTR stations, with 1,000 entry gates set up to accept the new payment method.

AlipayHK will operate the system exclusively in the first year of operation.

"Mobile payment has been an important focus of the corporation's digital transformation, and the launch of QR code payment for traveling on the MTR is a major milestone," said MTRC commercial director, Jeny Yeung Mei-chun.

Passengers can travel with a QR code after binding their AlipayHK e-wallet to the MTR Mobile app. Users may select ticket types and generate the code - which will only be valid for a single journey - on their phone.

They can then use this code for their journey by scanning the code on the turnstile. The process takes less than a second, similar to the Octopus card.

A mobile notification showing the trip's fare will pop up upon exiting the gate. Users can also view their journeys in the past three months in the mobile app.

At least two entry and exit gates will be set up in each MTR station. They will be wrapped with purple stickers for easy identification, while signages will also be displayed.

Mainlanders can access the MTR e-wallet system with their version of Alipay too.

The new QR code payment service will intially only accept adults and concessionary journey tickets. However, the system is expected to extend to special schemes and user passes, such as student travel schemes and tickets for the disabled, in the future.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that the app is not able to process make-up tickets for those who opt for first class on the East Rail Line. Therefore, the public is advised to pick first class before entering the gate.

In the first two months of launching, passengers traveling with the QR code will receive a 20 percent rebate for each trip.

"We will continue to introduce more mobile payment options in the future, making the traveling experience smarter and providing further convenience to passengers with smart mobility," Yeung said.

AlipayHK has cooperated with MTR to design and build the new electronic payment system for two years.

Yeung expects that other service providers, including UnionPay and Wechat, will join the QR code payment system in 2022 and credit card payment will come a year after that.