Taxis grab key pay app

THE Gold Coast taxi industry could be in for a major shakeup with an industry heavyweight signalling it will roll out Chinese payment platform Alipay to the Glitter Strip in time for Chinese New Year next Friday.

It follows Southport-based BPS Technology launching plans to install Alipay point-ofsale systems across its 36,000strong merchant base.

The latest cab off the rank is ASX-listed Cabcharge, which says it has entered an agreement to accept Alipay online payments through its payment terminals across Australia.

The Gold Coast is one of the company’s first targets due to the importance of tourism to the market.

Alipay – the world’s largest payment app – enables Chinese tourists to purchase via their mobile phones products and services, including accommodation, entertainment and food.

The app also enables payment of bills and just about every other aspect of managaging

ing day-to-day finances. The company said taxi passengers in China are able to use the Alipay app to hail taxis and make in-app payments.

Cabcharge plans to extend

its pilot program to the Gold Coast in time for Lunar New Year and to have completed a rollout on the Coast prior to the Commonwealth Games.

Cabcharge CEO and man- director Andrew Skelton, said customers will have the option of scanning Alipay QR codes through Cabcharge payment terminals.

“The acceptance of Alipay enables the Australian taxi industry to more effectively service Alipay’s growing user base in Australia,” he said.

“Cabcharge’s partnership with Alipay is an example of our continued commitment to improve the passenger experience by making our payment services as seamless, secure and simple as possible.”

Gold Coast Tourism boss Martin Winter welcomed the announcement.

“Anything that makes it easier for international travellers to conduct business – whether it be Cabcharge or POS systems – is of course welcome and the way of the future,” he said.

The number of Chinese tourists on the Gold Coast grew to 330,000 last year.

“It continues to grow,” he said.

Alipay launched in Australia and New Zealand in 2016.

It is accepted by more than 8000 merchants.