New Octopus card offering public transport access in 336 mainland China cities attracts strong demand from Hongkongers on launch day
- Post finds new ‘Octopus - China T-Union Card’, allowing public transport use in 336 mainland cities, has been selling fast at MTR stations and convenience stores
- Mainland China has emerged as the world’s largest cashless society, but elderly Hongkongers have struggled with mobile payments when across the border
A new Octopus card which allows users to tap for rides in public transport across 336 mainland China cities has generated strong demand from Hongkongers, especially elderly residents, on its first day of sales.
Many of those queuing for the “Octopus - China T-Union Card” at Kowloon Tong MTR station were elderly residents who said they hoped the card would offer a more seamless transport experience for them across the border.
Hundreds of cards were sold at the station on Tuesday morning, according to a staff member.
“There are many elderly people in Hong Kong like me wanting to travel to the mainland after retirement, but figuring out how to pay for public transport is a real pain. We don’t have the mainland version of Alipay to scan the QR code,” said Rosita Ma, 75, who is planning a one-month trip to Guangzhou and Shanghai.
“The good thing about the new card is that I can add values here in Hong Kong,” Ma said, adding she had once bought a transport card in Luohu but found it inconvenient since she could only top up there.
The mainland has emerged as the world’s largest cashless society in recent years, but elderly Hongkongers have struggled with mobile payments during their travels across the border.