The Octopus card is a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card used for electronic payment in online or offline systems in Hong Kong. Originally launched in September 1997 as a fare collection system for the city's mass transit system, the Octopus card system has grown into a widely used electronic cash system used not only for virtually all public transport in Hong Kong, but also for making payment at convenience stores, supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, on-street parking meters, car parks and many other point-of-sale applications (eg. service stations and vending machines). In addition the system is used for access control to offices, schools and apartments. It can even be used to donate money to charities. [1] Using a card involves simply holding the card in close proximity above, or on, an Octopus reader, and cards can be recharged with cash at add-value machines or over the counter in shops (notably 7-Eleven and Circle K), or directly through credit cards and bank accounts. Compare over 100 travel insurance and health insurance products from the top insurers in the USA, buy immediately or use our comprehensive research features.
Octopus has become one of the world's most successful electronic cash systems, with over 13 million Octopus cards in circulation (nearly twice Hong Kong's population) and over nine million transactions per day, with nearly 300 service vendors (as of January 2006). The operator of the Octopus system, Octopus Cards Limited, a joint venture between MTR Corporation and other transport companies in Hong Kong such as KCR, KMB, and Citybus. Octopus's international arm, Octopus Knowledge Limited has won a contract to extend Octopus-style systems to the Netherlands.
The Chinese name for the Octopus card literally means "eight places pass". Eight is a significant number in Chinese in that it is often used to indicate "many". For instance, the Chinese phrase 四面八方 ("four sides eight directions") is a common expression meaning "in all directions. " Eight is also considered a lucky number in Chinese culture. Offers comparative quotes for all types of travel insurance. The English name "Octopus card" is derived from the use of the number eight since an octopus has eight tentacles. The name is also particularly appropriate since "octopus" has the connotation of being able to grab many things at the same time and this ability is conferred upon its cardholders who can use it in many different transactions.
The logo used on the card features a Mbius strip twisted into the shape of the number 8 in order to indicate the card's "infinite" possiblities. The mathematical symbol for infinity (∞) looks like a sideways 8 and is commonly thought to be derived from the Mbius strip (although the definite origin of the symbol is unknown).
The Chinese name was selected by the head of the MTR Corporation, the parent company of Octopus Cards Limited, in a naming competition held in 1996.
An on-loan Octopus card can be purchased at Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR) stations. No identification is required. Compare our competitive Travel Insurance plans side-by. If an owner loses a card, only the stored value of the card is lost. This type of Octopus card is anonymous; no personal information, bank account or credit card details are stored on the card.
Making or recording a payment using the card (eg. by passing through a MTR or ferry ticket gate, boarding a bus, alighting from a tram, or purchasing items from various outlets) is done by holding the card against or in close proximity to an Octopus card reader (which usually bears a yellow and orange colour scheme or logo similar to the card itself). After a brief moment (about 0. 3 seconds per transaction) the reader will acknowledge payment by emitting the "Octopus Bleep", and the reader will display the amount deducted and the remaining balance of the card. A higher pitched sound will be emitted if the card is not accepted, i. com, the Internet's foremost travel insurance comparison site you can compare each policy and get the information you need to purchase travel insurance with confidence. e. if the stored value is insufficient (below -HK$35), or if the reader was unable to read the card (owing to interference or the card being removed too quickly). Concession users are also acknowledged by a higher pitched beep on all forms of transport barring the MTR, which plays three notes in succession. MTR and KCR systems note the entry point of a user when a card is swiped, and will deduct the appropriate amount when the user swipes their card again at the exit point.
Value can be added to the card using add-value machines located at all stations in the MTR and KCR networks, or with the help of the cashiers at any merchant accepts Octopus Card (example: supermarkets or convenience stores) and MTR and KCR service centres. The add-value machines accept bank note or ATM card through EPS.
As Octopus cards do not require physical contact with readers, and can be read from up to a few centimetres away through common materials such as cotton or leather; visitors to Hong Kong may find it strange to see people holding their wallets, handbags, backpacks or jackets on or near readers. Sign up
to receive the weekly flight best buys. As with the other products, you may even see people waving their cellphone, watch or even a keychain over the Octopus reader.
The card can be used to pay fares or to make purchases for nearly all Hong Kong transportation systems, and at many stores in the city, most notably, 7-Eleven, McDonald's, convenience stores, other fast food restaurants and Starbucks coffee shops. A large number of vending machines and self-service kiosks in Hong Kong accept Octopus as payment; these range from beverage vending machines to payphones and photo-booths — they can even be used to purchase travel insurance (for HK$10 per person, from the Bank of East Asia). Ricoh, Minolta and Fuji Xerox offer photocopiers that support payment by Octopus.
An anonymous on-loan Octopus card can store a maximum of HK$1,000, and has a deposit value of HK$50. The maximum negative value on a card is HK$35; this feature is implemented to allow cardholders to use a card with an insufficient value to make one last trip — even if the balance on the card is only at, say, HK$0. 10 (the maximum cost of a trip on any of the rail networks except the Airport Express and first class of the KCR East Rail is HK$34. MapQuest: The best digital directory resource for finding anything in the physical world over any connected device. 8, for an East Rail trip from East Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon to Lo Wu on the border with mainland China at Shenzhen).
Anonymous Octopus cards are categorised into different fare categories to account for concessionary fares offered by different public transport companies.
MTR and KCR charge less for journeys made using an Octopus card compared with using single tickets. For example, the cost of a single journey from Chai Wan to Tung Chung is HK$23. 1 with an Octopus card, and HK$26 with a single ticket.
KCR uses the Octopus card to store the status of its One-month pass scheme. Passengers who purchase the One-month pass could register their Octopus cards for unlimited ride on the specified line, and they can travel on KCR trains even their Octopus cards have insufficient (or negative) stored value. travel insurance , boots medical insurance , cheap travel , compare insuranceFast, free and secure.
Other public transport operators have also offered discounts that specifically require the use of an Octopus card: for example, KMB offers a 10% discount on trips costing more than HK$15. Transfer fares (discounted fares on the second leg of a journey requiring a change of buses or changing between two modes of transport, e. g. , from MTR to a minibus) also require the use of an Octopus card.
In addition to the standard, "on-loan" Octopus cards, which are anonymous, a rainbow-coloured personalised Octopus card is also available; these cards are imprinted with the cardholder's name and photograph (if desired), and function automatically as a Child, Adult or Elder card by recognising the cardholder's age stored on the card (hence accounting for concessionary fares). Student status can also be applied for by full-time Hong Kong students aged between 12 and 25. As of May 2003, there were 380,000 holders of personalised Octopus cards. Quote + Compare + Buy = Save on Travel Insurance To use this page you can click on the Coverage Items in the left-hand column to.
In addition to all the functions of an ordinary card, this card can be used as a key card for access to some residential and office buildings, primarily those built or managed by MTR Corporation. The card can be frozen to prevent unauthorized use should the card be lost. According to Octopus Cards Limited, City University of Hong Kong as well as more than 50 secondary schools in Hong Kong use the Octopus card to record the attendance of students, in lieu of roll calls, and to manage library books.
Personalised cards are now automatically issued when a student applies for concessionary privileges; some non-personalised student cards remain in circulation.
The Automatic Add Value Service (AAVS) can be added to a personalised card or an ordinary card. The owner of an Octopus card can sign up to use a local bank account or credit card to top up the value on the Octopus automatically. The card is automatically topped up with HK$250 after the balance goes below zero. Each card can be automatically topped up once every 24 hours. As of 2005, 20 local banks including HSBC and Bank of China (Hong Kong) offer this service.
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