- For the first time, Octopus opens its payment network to UnionPay, AlipayHK and Alipay to enable QR payments for mainland visitors and Hong Kong passengers
- Transaction and Referral Fee Waiver Program to Accelerate Driver Registration
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – January 11, 2024 – Today, Octopus Cards Limited (Octopus) announced that it will enable 21,000 taxi drivers in Hong Kong to accept QR payments from UnionPay, AlipayHK and Alipay via the Octopus for Business app and Octopus Mobile POS. Starting January 25, mainland visitors and Hong Kong residents will have more options for paying for taxi fares.
Tim Ying, CEO of Octopus Holdings Limited, announced that from January 25, Octopus is opening its payment network to other QR payments in the Hong Kong taxi market.
By opening its network to other payment platforms, for the first time in the company’s history, Octopus is making it easier and more convenient for taxi drivers in the city to accept mobile payment.
(From left) Andy Yip, Product Director, OCL, Roger Lee, Deputy General Manager, UnionPay International Hong Kong Branch and Tim Ying, General Manager, (from right) Rita Li, Sales and Marketing Director, OCL and Keith Cheung, Chief Marketing Officer and AlipayHK partner to expand digital payment in Hong Kong taxis
The inclusion of UnionPay, AlipayHK and Alipay also solves one of the biggest problems with paying for taxi fares in Hong Kong by providing more choices. Customers with an Octopus card can continue to use and pay at the same Octopus Mobile point of sale.
Andy Yip, Product Director at OCL, demonstrates how to use the Octopus card or scan the QR code to pay for the taxi fare.
Rita Li, Director of Sales and Marketing and Andy Yip, Director of Product at OCL answer questions from the media.
To encourage taxi driver registration, Octopus will also continue to waive transaction fees for taxi drivers until the end of 2025.[1]
Tim Ying, Chairman and CEO of Octopus Holdings Limited, said: “Octopus’ mission is to make everyday life easier through a fast, simple and secure payment experience. With our network already connected to most taxi drivers, we saw an opportunity to make it even more convenient for mainland visitors and Hong Kong residents to pay for their taxi fares with the method they know. GOOD. »
The Ministry of Transport welcomes Octopus’ new initiative to expand the use of digital payment in taxis. It continues to maintain an open dialogue with all stakeholders in the ecosystem, encouraging the adoption of more non-cash payment methods for the convenience of all passengers.
Improving the Octopus app for businesses
Taxi drivers can start accepting payments by updating their existing Octopus for Business app. After updating the app, taxi drivers only need to enter the payment amount and passengers can tap their Octopus card or scan the QR code on the paired Octopus mobile POS to pay.
Taxi Industry Referral Program
To further increase taxi acceptance, Octopus is rolling out a referral program to attract more taxi drivers to join the Octopus platform. From today until March 31, 2024, drivers who successfully refer their peers to open an Octopus App for Business account will receive a reward of HK$100 for each new referral. To be eligible, recommended drivers must complete at least five Octopus transactions worth HK$22 or more within the first 30 days of opening an account. Drivers can earn a maximum of 10 referral rewards, up to HK$1,000 in total. Octopus will also offer newly registered taxi drivers free Octopus Mobile POS devices and waive their transaction fees.
Mr Ying added: “By opening our network to other payment service providers, mainland visitors now have the ability to scan and pay, in addition to using their Mobile Octopus and Octopus cards – solving a problem major for many mainland visitors attempting to pay digitally in Hong Kong taxis.
[1] The fee waiver began in 2018 and continues until December 31, 2025. Terms and conditions apply.
Hashtag: #Octopus
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