Taipei MRT, buses are finally in line with the times! Starting from January 3, 2026, everyone can take theMRTWhen traveling, you no longer have to rely on the EasyCard. Open the ride code on your phone and scan it, or use it directly.credit cardYou can enter the station with the touch sensor, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to bring your card when you go out in the morning. Want to use QR Code It’s no problem to catch a ride, swipe a card, or use Apple Pay with Apple Pay. However, different payment methods have different benefits, such as frequent customer feedback, whether you can use monthly passes, and how to calculate transfer discounts. There are all things you need to pay attention to. This article will explain how to use it, which apps are supported, payment methods, whether there are any discounts on student tickets, and which groups the new payment method is suitable for, so that you can understand it all at once.
Taipei MRT 1/3 officially supports “QR Code” and “Credit Card Sensor” for entry! Check out electronic payment, App, and bank and credit card support lists at once
The payment methods for Taipei MRT and buses have been greatly upgraded, and they are no longer limited to electronic tickets. Starting from January 3 this year, all gates will officially support two new gate crossing methods: QR Code and credit card sensor entry. This means that in the future, as long as you have your mobile phone in hand, even if you forget to bring your EasyCard, you can still scan the code or tap to enter the station, making it more convenient for passengers and occasional MRT users.
I believe that what many people are most concerned about is whether Apple Pay can be connected, when rapid transit cards will be supported, which apps can scan QR codes to ride, and even whether monthly passes can still be used. Below we use the simplest way to break it down one by one, with actual cases so you can quickly master it.
What payment methods are available for rides?
After the launch of this update, there are 8 QR codes for electronic payment and 9 bank QR codes that can be used on MRT and buses. There are 17 methods in total. All of them can be scanned to pass through the gate.
Electronic payment apps that support QR code scanning:
- Youyou pay
- iPASS MONEY
- icash Pay
- Pay on the street
- Full payment
- Quanying+PAY
- Taishin Pay
- Yushan Wallet
9 financial institutions that support “TWQR Ride Code”:
- bank of taiwan
- land bank
- cooperative treasury
- first bank
- South China Bank
- Changhua Bank
- Mega Bank
- Taiwan Small and Medium Enterprises Bank
- Chunghwa Post
Just open the app → enter the bus code page → put the QR code close to the sensing area to enter the station.
The overall operation is simpler than imagined. There is no need to pre-load the card or insert the card. It can be used as long as there is balance in the account.
How to calculate the deduction method? Do you want to top up first?
If you use the bus code to take the MRT or bus, the money will be deducted directly from the electronic payment account instead of paying the monthly bill after swiping a credit card. If the balance is insufficient, the system can help you “advance it once”, but you must make up the balance before entering the station next time before you can ride again. It is recommended that daily commuters directly turn on the automatic recharge to avoid the awkward situation of being stuck in front of the gate when queuing up and finding out that they have no money.
When does credit card sensing start? Does Apple Pay work?
The biggest highlight this time is that “swiping your card to take the MRT” has finally become a reality. Starting from January 3 this year: Taishin Bank will take the lead in trial operation for half a year. People can enter the station directly with supported credit cards. Whether it is a physical credit card or bound to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, payment can be made through contactless payment.
From July 2026, Visa / MasterCard / JCB from other banks will be fully open. In other words, cardholders of banks such as CITIC and Yushan will have to wait until July to directly receive rides.
Although Apple Pay is currently available for payment, the “Rapid Transit Card” function has not yet been activated. You still need to call out the card or wallet page when entering the station. It is not yet possible to pass by just approaching the machine like the EasyCard, so friends who want to use the card without thinking about it will have to wait for the official follow-up update.
And if you want to use a credit card sensor, if it happens to be a co-branded card of Easy Card or All-in-One Card, be sure to note that there are different payment methods at different sensor locations. You can refer to the picture below:
Can monthly passes be used? Is the TPASS discount still available?
Here’s the key point. What many commuters ask the most is: Can I use a QR code or credit card for the 1,200 monthly pass? The answer is: no.
Neither QR code nor credit card can be used to enjoy the all-you-can-eat regional monthly pass, nor can it be used directly as a monthly pass. But don’t despair, the TPASS 2.0 frequent guest discount is still applicable, and the key conditions are as follows:
| How to ride | industry | Frequent guest discount program | Transfer discount | 1200 Metrolink commuter ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stored value card | Easy Card, All-in-one Card, Aijin Card | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| QR code | TWQR (9 operators), Youyoupay, IPASS MONEY, icash Pay, Jiekou Pay, Quanpay, Yushan Wallet, Quanying+PAY, Taishin Pay | ✓ | Youyoupay, iPASS MONEY, icash Pay(Coordinate with policies) |
Although the new system is convenient, there are still a few details that you must remember:
- In and out of the same App:
Whichever app or credit card you use when entering the station, you must use the same one when leaving the station;
You cannot pay to enter the station by leisurely payment, pay at the intersection to leave the station, or change to another card. - The balance must be greater than 0 yuan:
If the balance is exactly 0, you will not be able to enter the station. The system will only advance it once. Remember to make up the money next time. - Transfer discounts are subject to restrictions:
Only Yiyou Pay / iPASS MONEY / icash Pay supports two-way transfer discounts, and refunds will be made after settlement of the month. - No discount for student tickets:
The ride code can only produce a full ticket or a senior ticket. Students are advised to use a physical card for the most cost-effective price.
Which ethnic groups is it suitable for? How to choose the best deal?
- 1200 monthly pass for commuters:
It is still recommended to use Easy Card instead of swiping QR or credit card, otherwise the all-you-can-eat monthly pass will become invalid. - People who occasionally take the MRT or bus:
The QR code is the most convenient. You don’t need to carry a card, and the amount deducted is what you pay. - People who want to accumulate rewards and earn discounts:
Lock in Easy Pay, iPASS MONEY, and icash Pay to get TPASS and transfer discounts. - People who like to use Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay and are accustomed to brainless sensors:
You can use the Taishin Card to make the transition first, and you will be happiest when it is fully opened in July.
Conclusion
This update is an important step towards “card-free” transportation in Shuangbei. It is much friendly to foreign tourists, short-term users, and people who forget to bring their cards. Although the rapid transit card has not yet appeared, and monthly passes are not applicable, there will inevitably be a transition period in the initial stage, but being able to scan the code to take the MRT and buses at least symbolizes that Beijing City’s transportation has finally entered the next era.
For regular customers, as long as they use the right payment app, they can not only still receive rewards, but also reduce the stress of carrying a card. In the future, if Apple Pay opens the “rapid transportation card” mode, no need to open the app for the entire journey, and you can enter the station as soon as you place your phone on it, then it will be the most perfect ending. For now, I just add the bus code shortcut to my mobile phone. When I’m on the MRT after get off work, I can slide it open with one finger and pass through the gate gracefully without rummaging through my bag to find the card.
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Source: KOCPC Chinese