Passengers can get on all subway lines in Beijing by swiping their mobile phones starting on Aug. 14. This came after a successful trial period on the Fangshan subway line one month ago.

Currently, about 160 phone models, which are equipped with the Near Field Communication (NFC) function, will have access to the electronic-card app. Unfortunately, iPhone users are left out of this new convenience as Apple has not unlocked NFC for use in public transportation in China.

During the trial period, about 200,000 users signed up to use the new mobile e-card app, according to Beijing Municipal Administration & Communication Card Co., Ltd., the company making both the app and Beijing's subway cards.

In order to help passengers learn how to use the new app, Beijing Subway Operation Co., Ltd. has distributed instruction handbooks at 274 stations. Passengers can also get this information from the official WeChat account "bmacwx."

The app is receiving about 200,000 payment transactions daily. This accounts for only two percent of Beijing's total daily subway transactions, due to the limiting factor of only select mobile phones having the NFC function.

In addition to Beijing's buses and subways, the new e-card app can also be used in supermarkets, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, P+R parking lots and other locations where the traditional subway cards are accepted.

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