Alipay debuts smart bus-pooling service in Shanghai

Shanghai has become the first city in China to put into use a customized bus armed with artificial intelligence technologies procided by Alipay, China's top payment app from Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial, according to a summit on green commuting in Tianjin.

Bus No. 9 works like a taxi with users able to book a seat using their mobile phone, travelling from door to office with more ease, said Alipay. The commute can take 30 percent less time compared to standard buse services while the cost is 10 percent of a taxi fare.

Alipay said the solution is an integrated application of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things that will transform conventional bus services through smart dispatch, customized routes and green transportation.

A joint creation between Alipay, mapping app AutoNavi and Dtchuxing, funded in part by Alibaba, the central system can decide routes, stations and frequencies by itself in a much bigger version of car-pooling.

Alipay aims to promote QR-based smart commuting across the country within three years and provide half of the nation’s population with access to the green service.

Zhang Guohua, dean of Comprehensive Transportation Research Institute at National Development and Reform Commission, said the customized bus can improve efficiency and environmental protection all at the same time.