For the topic of summer travel, Qingdao is undoubtedly one of the top cities travelers consider visiting. The annual Qingdao International Beer Festival attracts visitors from all over the country to enjoy this celebration. But if you’ve chosen to visit Qingdao yet forget to get a local bus card or prepare cash for the fare, things might get a little awkward—neglecting such small details could affect your overall travel mood. Now, Tencent has partnered with Qingdao Wenxin Bus to launch QR code bus payment, initially supporting five bus lines that connect to the Laoshan venue of the Qingdao International Beer Festival: routes 607, 623, 640, 641, and 672. Passengers can enjoy quick and convenient rides through the “Tencent Ride Code” mini program without the hassle of getting a bus card or preparing change.
[Which cities support it currently?]
Qingdao, Guangzhou
Tencent Ride Code has been launched in Qingdao and is now available on bus lines 607, 623, 640, 641, and 672. Both local residents and tourists in Qingdao can now enjoy a convenient mobile payment experience when riding public buses.
[How do I activate it for first-time use?]
To start using QR code payments for buses, you only need two steps—helping you travel more sustainably and eco-friendly.
Search for the “Tencent Transportation Code” mini program or scan the program’s QR code to enter, bind your bank card, and agree to the quick payment authorization.Once successfully activated, it will automatically be saved in your WeChat Wallet.
[How do I scan and ride?]
After the first activation, it will automatically be saved in your WeChat Wallet. For subsequent rides, simply scan the code offline for quick verification, allowing you to board in as fast as 0.3 seconds.
After your first activation of the Ride Code, you can easily find it under “Me - Wallet - Membership Cards”.
Hold the Ride Code up to the scanner on a bus or BRT, and depending on your network status, it supports both real-time and asynchronous payments. Confirmation is given once the machine emits a “ticket verified” sound or other prompt—there’s no need to wait for a payment confirmation page. The scanning machine screen will also display corresponding messages. No internet connection is required for machine verification, and you can board in just 0.3 seconds.
[How is the fare paid?]
No need to top up—ride first, pay later.
For those used to carrying transit cards for public transport, problems such as forgetting the card, being unable to check the balance in time, needing to go to specific locations to recharge, and the costs involved in losing, replacing, or applying for a new card can be troublesome. With “Tencent Ride Code,” there’s no need to top up in advance.After scanning the code to ride, the fare is deducted either in real-time or asynchronously, enabling a “ride first, pay later” model. This effectively solves issues like finding change, buying tickets, and queuing, greatly improving travel efficiency.
[How do I switch cities?]
Open the “Tencent Ride Code” mini program, click on the “XX Ride Code” above the QR code to access the city-switching interface, then select the desired city from the “Supported Cities” listed below to complete the switch.
[How do I check bus routes?]
Open the “Tencent Ride Code” mini program, and go to “Personal Center - Activated Routes” to view the bus lines you have activated.
[What’s the future plan?]
Tencent introduced the Ride Code in hopes of collaborating with urban public transport systems to improve service quality, enhance the bus riding experience, strengthen the competitiveness and appeal of public transportation, and encourage more citizens to choose green modes of transport. This in turn helps to improve the urban public transit environment and raises awareness of low-carbon and environmentally friendly travel. In the future, the Ride Code will continue to expand its use to include metro systems and other scenarios, roll out features such as electronic receipts and real-time arrival updates, gradually release bus lines that support Yangchengtong Ride Codes, and continue forging partnerships with other cities. Potential partners are welcome to reach out.
Partnership inquiries: torreshu@tencent.com