The Shanghai Metro Guide is tagging every individual Metro station in Shanghai with a shortcode and mobile barcode. Metro passengers can get free transport and entertainment information by scanning the barcode, or texting the shortcode to the Guide.
Each Metro station has its own code, which can be found posted on the wall by the entrance to the station. The service is currently only at four Metro stations (People’s Square, Zhongshan Park, Xujiahui and Lujiazui) but will cover all Metro stations before World Expo 2010.
Source: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200902/20090211/article_390623.htm
From the release:
“Barcodes can store a lot of information and save time,” said Li Jiaming, CEO of eTag Media. “The service has been widely and successfully used in some foreign countries like Japan but is new in China.”
What we think?
Once again, the transport industry pushes barcodes harder than anyone else. This is a well integrated service. For travellers who don’t have a barcode scanner, the codes on the Metro station walls will let them download and install readers. Like Li Jiaming says, this isn’t a new idea. But it’s being installed specifically so that it will be in full view for the World Expo – which will be great exposure for barcoding.
Dear Bena,
You are stating why the transport sector is pushing the barcodes. Recent research showed to me that good mobile services are personal and context based. QR codes tells us a huge big deal about the context the user is in and the Transport sector is providing loads of contextual palces alonmg the travel experience.
Cheers, Ron
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