Development of Shanghai metro helps people's lives

A passenger shows a QR code through the Metro Metropolis app on October 30, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

Municipal authorities in Shanghai have been putting new technologies into the local metro system to help provide better services.

A passenger scanning the QR code at the subway entrance in Shanghai, October 30, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

Since the end of October, QR code payment has been available on the maglev train service. Authorities hope to spread the payment method to the entire subway network in early 2018.

Photo taken on November 27, 2017 shows a Shanghai rail transit network map. [Photo: China Plus/Meng Xue]

It can be used by downloading an app called Metro Metropolis, or Metro Daduhui in Chinese, which has been developed by the Shanghai Shentong Metro Group, operator of the Shanghai subway.

Jin Tao, technical engineer for the Shanghai Shentong Metro Group, says subway passengers will be able to pay for their tickets via Alipay or China UnionPay by scanning the QR code at the entrance, instead of using a traditional public transportation card.

Staff working at the Shanghai Shentong Metro Group, November 27, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Meng Xue]

Unlike traditional online payments, the Metro Metropolis app doesn't require a wireless network. 

For foreigners who live in Shanghai, the app will launch an English version next year.

The real time passenger flows on the monitors at the Shanghai Shentong Metro Group, November 27, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Meng Xue]

Ge Shiping, deputy Party Secretary for the Shanghai Shentong Metro Group, says the company is also working on expanding the existing subway network in the city.

Shanghai's subway network is the largest in the world. The city now has 15 metro lines with the network covering 617 kilometers. 10 new projects are due to be completed by 2020, taking the overall length to over 830 kilometers.