I. Physical Transit Cards
General-Purpose Cards
Available to all passengers (e.g., Beijing Yikatong, Shenzhen Tong).
Accepted on buses, subways, and other transit services.
Special Group Cards
Student Cards: Require proof of enrollment, offering discounted fares.
Senior Cards: Such as Qingdao’s Qindao Tong NFC Senior Card, allowing free rides after verification via app or service center.
Disability/Compassion Cards: For individuals with disabilities or other special needs.
Commemorative/Commuter Cards
Some cities issue limited-edition cards or commuter discount cards.
II. NFC Digital Cards
Mobile Brand Support
Compatible with select Huawei, Apple, and Xiaomi devices (e.g., Beijing Yikatong, Shanghai Public Transportation Card).
Senior NFC Cards
Available in cities like Qingdao, requiring app-based registration (existing physical cards are automatically deactivated).
III. Mobile Payments
UnionPay
Supported via the Cloud Flash Pay (Yunshangfu) app in many cities, with discounts (e.g., 50% off in some regions).
Third-Party Payments
Alipay, WeChat Pay, and other apps support QR code payments; some cities also accept NFC.
IV. Other Payment Methods
Cash
Still accepted in some cities (coins/notes).
Bank/Credit Cards
Some transit systems allow direct card swiping.
Notes
Discounts vary: Local cards may offer better benefits than national interoperable cards.
Device compatibility: NFC cards require specific phone models; senior NFC cards may have brand restrictions.
For city-specific details, consult local transit authorities.
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