TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei Metro will allow passengers to use Taiwan-issued and foreign credit cards — including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay — at all stations from Wednesday, CNA reported.
The new service will let riders tap a credit card or mobile wallet at fare gates. Taipei Metro said it will reduce the need to top up transit cards or line up to buy single-journey tickets.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said the launch comes as the metro system marks 30 years of service. He said Taipei Metro finished replacing fare gates at all stations in October and began testing QR code ticketing with Taishin Bank in January.
UDN reported that the system will support Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover Network, and Diners Club International cards. Foreign visitors will be able to ride the metro without buying a separate transit card.
iPhone and Apple Watch users will also be able to use Apple Pay’s Express Transit mode. After setting up the feature in the Wallet app, they can pass through fare gates without unlocking or waking their devices.
Taishin Bank said more than 1 million rides were made during the six-month trial. It said 80% of users were under 35, and 90% used phones instead of physical cards.
Apple said Express Transit mode lets users choose a preferred card in the Wallet app. The feature can still work for a short time after an iPhone battery runs out.
