Taipei, New Taipei buses, metro to allow QR code boarding from Jan. 3

Taipei, Jan. 2 (CNA) Users of public transportation will be able to use QR codes to board buses and metro trains in Taipei and New Taipei using a mobile payment app, effective from Saturday.

According to the Taipei Department of Transportation, city buses in the Greater Taipei area will accept QR code payments generated by five electronic payment platforms -- Easy Wallet, iPASS Money, icash Pay, JKOPay and PX Pay Plus.

On the Taipei Metro, QR code fares can also be paid through nine financial institutions on the TWQR platform, as well as E.Sun Wallet, PlusPay, and Taishin Pay, the department added.

Riders are reminded to first open their mobile payment app and ensure they have sufficient funds in their accounts before scanning at mass rapid transit (MRT) ticket barriers, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. (TRTC) said.

Individuals must use the same account to enter and exit a station, TRTC said, adding that passengers with a negative balance will be unable to enter.

People who use QR code payments for fares on the Taipei Metro will still qualify for the system's frequent rider discounts, with cashback credited the following month, TRTC said.

To mark the launch of the QR code ride service, EasyCard Corp. said first-time Easy Wallet QR code users will receive 50 percent cashback on fares on buses and the metro in Taipei and New Taipei from Saturday through Feb. 28, capped at NT$33 (US$1.05), with the offer limited to the first 100,000 users.

The company said it is also rolling out a one-week bonus promotion, offering a NT$50 cashback voucher to passengers who use the QR code ride service three times, with the offer limited to 10,000 vouchers.