Mobility start-up Splyt has announced a partner with Alipay that will see its services integrated with the payment platform.
The integration will give Alipay’s hundreds of millions of users access to Splyt’s global ride-hailing inventory via its in-app marketplace mini programme. It means Chinese travellers are now able to hail taxis from local mobility service providers overseas without having to download a new app.
Splyt says its platform, which already reaches 1.5 billion users in more than 50 countries, will give Alipay users access to its network of transportation partners in more than 1,000 cities.
In addition, Splyt has developed a custom user interface for the integration, with all payments processed in the user’s preferred currency. There is also 24/7 support and an in-app chat function to help users communicate with drivers if they don’t speak the local language.
As of today, Alipay users from Chinese mainland can use mobility services from Splyt’s partners in the UK, UAE and South-East Asia, with further coverage across the globe due to be rolled out later this year.
Kiki Wu, director of business development, cross-border business, at Alipay, commented: “Consumers don’t want 100 different apps – they want tools that make their lives easier. This brand new taxi-hailing mini programme makes it possible to search, book and pay for taxi rides in our users’ native currency. Partnering with Splyt gives us unparalleled access to a roster of transport providers across the world that will make getting around when travelling easier than ever before.”
Philipp Mintchin, CEO of Splyt, added: “We’re delighted to launch this ground-breaking collaboration with Alipay to help ease the journeys of its users when abroad. With the number of Chinese tourists growing every year, the strength of our platform will ease and support tourism in some of the fastest-growing commercial corridors worldwide. As a London-based company, this is also a testament to the UK tech industry and our ability to reach a global mobility market.”
This is the latest in a series of partnerships for Splyt, which also works with Ctrip and CarTrawler.
splyt.com; intl.alipay.com