The Jeju provincial government announced on July 29 that passengers will be able to pay their bus fares by scanning QR codes installed inside 868 buses operated by 14 companies across the island. (Image courtesy of Jeju Province)
JEJU, Jul. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – Starting August 1, all buses on Jeju Island will be equipped with a QR code payment system, marking a significant step towards modernizing public transportation and improving convenience for both local residents and international visitors.
The Jeju provincial government announced on July 29 that passengers will be able to pay their bus fares by scanning QR codes installed inside 868 buses operated by 14 companies across the island.
The payment process will be facilitated by Zero Pay, a mobile payment system based on bank accounts.
Zero Pay is integrated with 14 payment apps from nine countries, including popular platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay, which are widely used by Chinese and other foreign tourists.
This integration is expected to significantly ease the payment process for international visitors, allowing them to use familiar payment methods from their home countries.
The move comes in response to data showing that foreign Generation Z and Millennial tourists heavily rely on public transportation during their visits to Jeju.
A recent survey indicated that 56.7% of these visitors use buses (27.1%) and taxis (29.6%) as their primary modes of transportation on the island.
In consideration of the public nature of bus services, the transaction fee for QR code payments has been set at 0.9%, lower than the standard merchant fee of 1.65%.
To promote the new payment system, the provincial government, in collaboration with Alipay, will offer discounts during August and September.
Passengers using Alipay will receive a 50% discount on regular bus fares and a 1,000 won discount on express and limousine bus services.
The Jeju government plans to distribute promotional materials to major tourist attractions and hotels on the island. Information about the new payment system will also be featured in Chinese-language travel guides.
Kim Tae-wan, head of Jeju’s Transportation and Aviation Bureau, expressed optimism about the initiative. “We hope that the introduction of the QR code payment system will elevate Jeju’s smart tourism infrastructure to the next level,” he said.
This technological upgrade is part of Jeju’s broader strategy to enhance its appeal as a tourist destination and streamline services for its growing international visitor base.
The island, known for its natural beauty and unique culture, has been actively working to improve its tourism infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of modern travelers.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
