Residents in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, will be able to pay bus fares using WeChat, an instant-messaging app created by China’s internet service giant Tencent, from late December, according to a recent announcement made by Tian’an Gongjiao Group, a local company for public transportation.

The services have been piloted on the K21 bus route, and have proved popular among local residents. It was co-designed by Tian’an Gongjiao Group and Tencent with the aim of offering more convenience to passengers.

Identification takes only 0.2 seconds after passengers scan the code posted on the buses, whether their phones are connected to the internet or not. Even if passengers do not have sufficient funds on their WeChat, they can still get on the bus because WeChat will pay for them temporarily.

The new service helps speed up the boarding of buses and negates the need for passengers to bring coins to pay their fares. 

Payment using WeChat is expected to be available on all bus routes operated by Tian’an Gongjiao Group by the end of the year.

Residents in Qingdao, Zhumadian, Foshan, Hefei and Jinan can also enjoy the new payment service.