Macao bolsters 'soft connectivity' with mainland

The Macao Special Administrative Region is taking more moves in response to the national policy of promoting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's "hard connectivity" of infrastructure and "soft connectivity" of rules and standards to build a closer partnership for connectivity.

The SAR's MPay officially launched the Amap Ride-Hailing service on June 13. This service enables seamless travel in Macao and the Chinese mainland with a single app, advancing traffic integration development, accelerating the SAR's smart city development, and fostering its appropriate economic diversification.

The MPay app was created in 2018 by Macau Pass, a leading financial technology and payment services company in Macao, contributing to the popularization of mobile payments and the construction of a smart city by providing contactless smart cards, e-wallets, and versatile electronic payment systems. Macau Pass introduced mobile payment to Macao in 2015.

The new service, now extending from the mainland to Macao, provides a one-stop solution for hailing and paying for taxis in the region. From June 13, Macao residents can access "Amap Ride-Hailing" directly within the MPay app without additional downloads, truly achieving "one app for seamless travel in Macao and the mainland".

It has been learned that as a vital hub connecting the Chinese mainland and the global market, Macao's strategic collaboration with Amap represents both an innovative step toward improving livelihoods and a key move in integrating the Greater Bay Area into the global transportation network.

In recent years, as Macao accelerates its smart city development and its transformation into a "world center of tourism and leisure," demand for convenient transportation has grown significantly. Last year, Macau Pass partnered with Amap to introduce the Amap Ride-Hailing mini-program in MPay's Cross-Border Zone, facilitating travel to the Chinese mainland and receiving enthusiastic feedback.

It has been learned that the expansion of the new service to Macao's local transportation scene not only addresses public calls for improved taxi accessibility but also enriches smart transportation options, elevating the city's service standards and operational efficiency.

Currently, Amap Ride-Hailing has integrated Macao's first batch of black taxi operators. Through MPay, users can instantly hail or pre-book taxis of black taxis, leveraging Amap's advanced intelligent route planning to avoid congested areas. Additionally, MPay supports one-click payment, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience from booking to payment.

It has been learned that as one of the most widely used e-wallets in Macao, MPay has evolved into a super app covering dining, transportation, tourism, entertainment, shopping, bill payments, financial services, and cross-border transactions.

In the transport sector, beyond Amap Ride-Hailing, MPay integrates mini-programs such as Air Macau, Ferry Tickets and Hong Kong-Macao Express, comprehensively addressing travel needs by air, land, and sea, while offering periodic promotions.

Recently, MPay also introduced the Guangzhou Metro QR Code, further enhancing transportation connectivity between Macao and Greater Bay Area cities, supporting high-quality regional integration.

It has been learned that moving forward, MPay will continue to prioritize user needs, deepen ecosystem partnerships, and expand its service scenarios, providing Macao residents and international visitors with more convenient, efficient, and intelligent travel services.