Alipay launch overseas transport card service

SINGAPORE -- Oversea tourists now have an option to buy the Flashpay card, a card that can be used on public transportation in Singapore, via Alipay before leaving home, thanks to a partnership between Singapore's NETS and China's Alipay, according a statement announced on Monday.

To make outbound travel more seamless for Chinese tourists planning a trip to the Lion City, NETS and Alipay launched the first overseas transport card that can be purchased right off Alipay's mobile wallet, which has 190 million active users across China.

Those who'd like to purchase the card could simply log into their registered account via Alipay Wallet. An e-voucher will be sent to their account, with which they can collect their Flashpay card at designated "Changi Recommends" counters at Changi Airport upon touchdown.

The cobrand Alipay Flashpay card costs S$50 ($38.45), comprising a card cost of 5 Singpaore dollars and a stored value of S$45. Customers are allowed to purchase up to five Alipay FlashPay Cards. Those who buy the card between Nov 27 and Mar 31, 2015 will receive a S$20 voucher to use at Changi Airport.

Ang Sok Hong, Senior Vice-President of NETS said, "The availability of our cobrand transit card on Alipay will, we hope, boost the ease of trip planning and outbound travel for tourists coming to Singapore."

According to the World Tourism Cities Federation, Chinese tourists are most concerned about transportation when traveling abroad and tend to prefer taking public transportation overseas.

Added to that is an increase in online travel transactions amongst Chinese travelers. The same report notes that the Chinese travelers are becoming more comfortable with making travel arrangements online as opposed to going to a travel agency. In 2013, Chinese Online Travel Agents' revenue was 11.76 billion yuan ($191.3 million), an increase of 26.2 percent over the previous year.

This is not the first time Alipay joined hands with NETS. In June this year, the two collaborated on a project to allow Singapore consumers to make direct debit payments for purchases from Taobao Marketplaces and Tmall.com, two of China's most popular online shopping websites.

"We are excited to work with NETS again in this effort to respond to the growing needs of China's outbound travelers," said Wendy Sun, head of Business Development for Alipay in Southeast Asia. "This transportation card will provide Chinese tourists a hassle-free travel experience and we look toward to making this collaboration a great success."