The giant rapid transit system Shanghai Metro – which serves East China's Shanghai city – recently introduced a paper QR code single-journey ticket.
Passengers on one of the longest and busiest underground metro networks in the world can now purchase this new type of ticket from five multi-functional ticket machines at People's Square Metro Station, where a QR code printed on the surface serves as the identification key.
Unlike conventional single-journey tickets, these tickets are not recycled at the exit station, meaning passengers can keep them as souvenirs.
Passengers can enter and exit stations by holding the side of the ticket with the QR code against the scanning area of the gate. The new machines are located at People's Square Station on lines 1, 2 and 8.
The machines also provide information on first and last train times, transfer routes and estimated travel times.
Employees and volunteers are available to assist passengers with purchasing tickets.
The paper QR code tickets offer an alternative to traditional one-way tickets with plastic chip cards.
Passengers use the vending machines to purchase tickets by selecting their desired route and destination station, as well as choosing the number of tickets they require. Only code payments are currently supported.