Taxi passengers in Beijing will soon be able to pay with a smart card, instead of cash.

10,000 city cabs are now accepting the cards on a trial basis to sort out any bugs.

Once the new payment method is in full operation and covers the entire city, card-bearing passengers will no longer have to hear, "Sorry, I don't have enough change for a 100 yuan note!"

Beijing transportation authorities expect the new cards to prove very popular, and their use will eventually be extended to taxis, buses and subways.

In addition, the color of cabs in the city will be changed, but the final design has not yet been chosen.
 
(CRI.com February 12, 2004)