What is Octopus card Hong Kong?
The Octopus card is a reusable contactless stored value smart card for making electronic payments in online or offline systems in Hong Kong. The Octopus card has also grown to be used for payment in many retail shops in Hong Kong, including most convenience stores, supermarkets and fast food restaurants.
Who owns HK Octopus?
Octopus Holdings Limited
Shareholding. As of 2007, Octopus Holdings Limited is a joint-venture business owned by five transport companies in Hong Kong; 57.4% by the MTR Corporation, 22.1% by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, 12.4% by Kowloon Motor Bus, 5% by Citybus, and 3.1% by New World First Bus.
How does Octopus card work in Hong Kong?
The Octopus card was first launched in 1997, allowing Hongkongers to pay subway, bus and ferry fares with a single card. Nowadays, 95% of Hong Kong’s population carry Octopus cards. In addition to transport, they can be used at fast food outlets, coffee shops, convenience stores, parking lots and more.
Who invented the Octopus card?
Paul Chan Mo-lim
Paul Chan Mo-lim and his team designed and implemented the automatic payment collection system over 35 years. A symbol of the city’s innovative side and efficiency, the Octopus card has impressed locals and visitors to Hong Kong alike since its debut almost two decades ago.
What is the Octopus card limit?
HK$3,000
Octopus Mobile SIM You can top up with any amount up to HK$3,000 once the stored value limit of your Octopus Card has been upgraded.
How does Octopus card work?
You wave the card over readers as you walk on and off transport. The machines on the MTR subway will calculate your fare and deduct the correct amount. In addition to the metro and public buses, the Octopus card can also be used to travel on ferries, light rail, trams, and even taxis.
How much does an Octopus card cost?
On-Loan Octopus Card
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | HK$150 = Deposit $50 + Initial stored value $100 |
| Child (3-11) | HK$70 = Deposit $50 + Initial stored value $20 |
| Elder | HK$70 = Deposit $50 + Initial stored value $20 |
How many variations of the original Octopus card are there?
The first-generation Octopus cards came in five different colours: blue for students and orange or rainbow for adults, pink for children, and dark green for the elderly.
Do I need an Octopus card in Hong Kong?
Octopus – A Must Have Accessory in Hong Kong. The Octopus card is a contactless smart card, and is mostly used to pay for rides on the MTR, buses, minibuses, ferries, trams and on a few taxis equipped with Octopus readers. It was introduced in 1997 as a payment method on the MTR.
Does Octopus card expire?
How long is the validity of an Octopus Card? The Octopus Card is valid for 1000 days and will be deactivated if within this period of time no further amount of value is added. However, you don’t need to worry if you didn’t use your card for 3 or more years. You simply can re-activate it at any MTR service center.
Does Hong Kong Octopus card expire?
About 1.2 million Octopus cards issued two decades ago will expire in two years, as the operator of the cashless payment system presses ahead with efforts to secure a larger foothold in Hong Kong’s competitive e-wallet market. These “first-generation” cards cannot be linked to Octopus’ Android smartphone app, O!
How much is Octopus Card in Hongkong?
When did the Octopus card come to Hong Kong?
The Octopus card is a reusable contactless stored value smart card for making electronic payments in Hong Kong. Started in September 1997 to collect fares for the MTR, the Octopus card system is the second contactless smart card system in the world, after the Korean Upass, and has been widely used for all public transport in Hong Kong.
Who is the owner of Octopus Cards Limited?
Octopus Cards Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Octopus Holdings Limited. Established in 1994 under the name of “Creative Star” by the major transportation companies in Hong Kong, Octopus Cards Limited is the operator of the Octopus System and the issuer of Octopus.
What kind of chip does the Octopus card use?
The Octopus card uses the Sony 13.56 MHz FeliCa radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, with Hong Kong being the world’s first major public transport system using this technology.
What kind of award does the Octopus card win?
The Octopus card is recognised internationally, winning the Chairman’s Award of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance’s 2006 Global IT Excellence Award for being the world’s leading complex automatic fare collection and contactless smartcard payment system, and for its innovative use of technologies.