Beijingers May Soon Be Able to Pay For Subway Using Smartphones

Commuters in Beijing may soon be able to use their smartphones to use the subway.

The new system is currently being tested on the Fangshan Line, and if all goes well Beijingers will no longer have to stand in line to physically top up their subway cards. Instead, smartphone users can simply download an app to get the "mobile phone one-card-pass" service, recharge in real time and swipe their phones to enter the subway. 

But according to a report the new system does have its flaws. 

"Nearly 160 brands including Huawei, Samsung, Nubia and Meizu support the subway service, with the iPhone a notable exception," the report said.

The report also said that some mobile phone users need to change their SIM to pay. 

Flaws aside, many in the capital would welcome the ability to pay for the subway using an app. We'll keep you posted when we hear more about the new payment system. 

[Image via Ecns.com]