New scheme trials digital payments for Melbourne buskers

Gone are the days of the cling! cling! of coins falling into an open guitar case to reward a busker.

Online and mobile payment platform Alipay has launched the trial of a digital payment system, initially for Melbourne’s buskers to move into a cashless society.

Alipay is operated by Ant Financial Services Group, a related company of China’s Alibaba Group.

Locals can donate via ‘tap-n-go’ card payments to provide set payments of $2 and $5 (or more) and buy their merchandise or CDs.

Buskers will now be able to accept payment from Chinese tourists via Alipay’s QR code technology.

Alipay, a smartphone payment method, is used by more than 870 million users, including the majority of the 1.5 million Chinese people visiting Australia each year.

The project sees Alipay team with local payment partners Quest Payment Systems and Supay Technology.

The technology will be tested for 4—6 weeks with 15—20 buskers in Melbourne (provided they are licensed through Melbourne Council), with the plan to ultimately roll it out nationally.

George Lawson, Alipay country manager for Australia and New Zealand, said the program would be a shot in the arm for buskers who have found it increasingly hard to support themselves with fewer people carrying cash.

“Buskers are part of the social and cultural fabric of Melbourne and Alipay saw an opportunity to use our technology to help visitors show their appreciation,” he said.

“The program is a win-win; the 600,000 Chinese visitors arriving in Melbourne every year get greater access to the city’s culture, while buskers grow their audience and have a more practical way to accept funds.”