Melbourne Is Trialling a New Tap-And-Go Payment System for Buskers
Twenty Melbourne buskers will trial the Alipay system over the next six weeks
When it comes to tipping buskers, 'no cash' will no longer be a problem, thanks to a new tap-and-go payment system being trialled by performers across the city.
As reported by the Age, the pilot scheme, which is being headed up by online payment company Alipay, will see 20 City of Melbourne-licensed buskers issued with portable payment devices.
They'll each get to set a certain small donation amount — of $2 or more — which passersby can then pay with a simple tap of their card. Customers will be able to tip extra with a few more taps of their plastic, and the system can also be used to buy merchandise. Buskers will only be hit with a small one-percent per-transaction free for using the system.
No more digging in your pockets for coins, or feeling sheepish when you come up empty handed.
Visitors from China, where Alipay originated, will also be able to pay via their smartphones, with the use of QR technology.
The trial is expected to run for the next four to six weeks and could be rolled out across other cities if successful.
Via theage.com.au
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