Online ticket booking now available across the Beijing Metro

From this weekend, subway passengers across Beijing can book and pay for their tickets online using an app from Beijing Metro.

Media are given a demonstration on how to book a subway ticket through the new online app on December 23, 2017. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

The app was first launched in August for tickets on a limited number of subway lines. From today, the online booking system is available for use on all lines across the massive Beijing subway network.

To use the online booking service, passengers need to download an app and register with their real name.

Multiple payment options are available through the app, including bank cards, Alipay, and JD Wallet. More payment options are expected to be available in the future, reports the Beijing News.

Photo taken on December 23, 2017 shows two new ticket machines in a subway station in Beijing for tickets booked online. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

After payment, passengers are sent a QR code. Passengers get their ticket by scanning the QR code at a ticket machine at a subway station. A total of 708 machines have been installed at subway stations around the city. Each station has been equipped with at least two machines.

People who fail to collect their booked ticket within 30 days will receive an automatic refund.

Beijing's subway stations have offered free WiFi for passengers to access online booking, and subway staff are available to provide assistance.

As of December 20, 2017, up to 700,000 users have registered the online ticketing app.

The Beijing Metro is likely to fully support QR scanning to enter all subway stations by 2018, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport.