BEIJING - Beijing on Wednesday launched a WeChat QR code payment service on more than 5,000 buses in the city's suburban area, according to Beijing Youth Daily.

Passengers need to search for "Beijing Yikatong" in Chinese on a WeChat mini program and open a service that provides an electronic card.

All smartphone users can apply online for free and there is no need to install anything or make a deposit.

If the smartphone fails to connect with the mobile data network, the fees will be charged later when the network is available.

The response time of scanning the QR code is within 0.2 seconds, faster than using a bus card, which takes 0.3 seconds, said the newspaper.

Passengers can enjoy a 50 percent discount by using the QR code payment method. For security purposes, each electronic card is only allowed to be used 20 times each day.

A total of 500 bus lines are now using the QR code payment method. The service will be promoted in Beijing's urban areas by the end of this year, said the newspaper.