Hong Kong’s subway system chose Alibaba’s payment solution

Hong Kong subways will accept QR Code payments in 2020. Source: alizila.com

Users of AlipayHK will, from as early as 2020, be able to use Hong Kong’s subway system simply by scanning their phones at turnstiles in 91 metro stations.

AlipayHK was chosen from among a few other bidders to be the designated the sole QR Code payment solution for Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway Corp., which serves an average of 5.8 million commuters daily.

Leveraging Alipay technology, 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 single-journey tickets or refill a subway pass. Moreover, the technology can scan a QR Code in under 0.4 seconds, as well as work even when internet service is poor or lacking.

The AlipayHK e-wallet is operated by Alipay Financial Services HK, which is a joint-venture established and managed by CK Hutchison Holdings and Ant Financial Services Group, an affiliate of Alibaba Group, which created the Alipay app.

The AlipayHK e-wallet is can be used at over 25,000 retail outlets in Hong Kong, such as large chain stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, taxies, restaurants, and wet markets.

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