Editing Octopus card (section)

== Card usage ==
[[File:Iccard.gif|thumb|How to use Octopus card in a ticket gate]]
[[File:OctopusReaderGate.jpg|thumb|Octopus reader at an [[MTR]] ticket gate]]

The Octopus card was originally introduced for fare payment on the MTR;<ref name="WorldBank">{{cite web |url=http://lnweb18.worldbank.org/External/lac/lac.nsf/Sectors/Transport/D5A576A039A802C0852568B2007988AD?OpenDocument |title=Hong Kong Smart Card System |publisher=The World Bank Group |access-date=13 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304050613/http://lnweb18.worldbank.org/External/lac/lac.nsf/Sectors/Transport/D5A576A039A802C0852568B2007988AD?OpenDocument |archive-date=4 March 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> but usage quickly expanded to other retail businesses in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.octopuscards.com/consumer/products/en/index.jsp |title=Octopus Products |publisher=Octopus Cards Limited |access-date=21 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224121453/http://www.octopuscards.com/consumer/products/en/index.jsp |archive-date=24 February 2007  }}</ref> The card is now commonly used in most public transport, fast food restaurants, supermarkets, [[vending machines]], convenience stores, [[photo booth]]s, [[parking meters]], [[car park]]s, and many other retails business where small payments are frequently made.<ref name="SmartCardAlliance">{{cite web |url=http://www.it.iitb.ac.in/~tijo/seminar/Case_Studies_and_Profiles_Report.pdf |title=Smart Card Case Studies and Implementation Profiles |publisher=Smart Card Alliance |date=December 2003 |access-date=22 February 2007 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129042404/https://www.it.iitb.ac.in/~tijo/seminar/Case_Studies_and_Profiles_Report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Where Can I Use It? |website=Octopus Hong Kong |url=http://www.octopus.com.hk/get-your-octopus/where-can-i-use-it/en/ |access-date=16 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063202/http://www.octopus.com.hk/get-your-octopus/where-can-i-use-it/en/ |archive-date=4 March 2016  }}</ref> Over 33 million Octopus cards are in circulation as of 2018, with the card being used by 99 per cent of Hong Kong residents.<ref name="ourservices">{{cite web|title=Our Services|url=http://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/about-octopus/profile/services/index.html|publisher=Octopus Cards Limited|access-date=1 March 2018|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127165259/http://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/about-octopus/profile/services/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Notable businesses that started accepting Octopus cards at an early stage included [[PARKnSHOP]], [[Wellcome]], [[Watsons]], [[7-Eleven]], [[Starbucks]], [[McDonald's]], and [[Circle K]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Octopus Card |website=Hong Kong Extras3 |date=16 March 2015 |url=http://www.hongkongextras.com/octopuscard.html |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125172418/http://hongkongextras.com/octopuscard.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Between June 2003 and November 2004, the Hong Kong Government replaced its 17,000 parking meters with an Octopus card–operated system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200306/27/0627317.htm |title=Octopus-card operated parking meters to launch on 29 June |publisher=Hong Kong SAR Government |date=27 June 2003 |access-date=25 April 2007 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125190822/https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200306/27/0627317.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ParkingMeter">{{cite web |url=http://www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_hong_kong/parking/carparks/octopus_operated_parking_meters/index.htm |title=Octopus operated Parking Meter |publisher=Transport Department of the HKSAR |date=19 July 2005 |access-date=11 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130032827/http://www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_hong_kong/parking/carparks/octopus_operated_parking_meters/index.htm |archive-date=30 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Octopus card was then the only accepted form of payment until 2021 when new meters were introduced that accepted [[contactless payment]], [[Faster Payment System]] and [[QR code]] payment.<ref>{{cite web |title=New parking meters to be installed in phases by Transport Department (with photos) |url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202101/18/P2021011500397.htm |website=Press Releases |publisher=Government of HKSAR |access-date=15 January 2021}}</ref>

Octopus cards also double as access control cards in buildings and for school administrative functions.<ref name="AccessControl">{{cite web |title=Access Control |url=http://www.octopuscards.com/consumer/other/access/en/index.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225122954/http://www.octopuscards.com/consumer/other/access/en/index.jsp |archive-date=25 February 2007 |access-date=21 February 2007 |publisher=Octopus Cards Limited}}</ref><ref name="SchoolCampuses">{{cite web |title=School Campuses |url=http://www.octopuscards.com/consumer/other/campuses/en/index.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415073006/http://www.octopuscards.com/consumer/other/campuses/en/index.jsp |archive-date=15 April 2007 |access-date=21 February 2007 |publisher=Octopus Cards Limited}}</ref> At certain office buildings, residential buildings, and schools, use of an Octopus card is required for entry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://badgerherald.com/oped/2004/02/05/view_from_abroad_hon.php |title=View from abroad: Hong Kong's 'Octopus card' technology puts even credit card to shame |work=The Badger Herald |date=5 February 2004 |access-date=31 May 2007 |archive-date=21 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621141456/http://badgerherald.com/oped/2004/02/05/view_from_abroad_hon.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Payments ===
[[File:Payment system HK McDonalds 2018.jpg|thumb|alt=Octopus card reader at a McDonald's restaurant in Hong Kong|Octopus card reader of a self-payment kiosk at a [[McDonald's]] [[restaurant]] in Hong Kong]]

Payments are made by holding the card against or within a few centimetres of an Octopus card reader. The reader acknowledges payment by emitting a beep, and displaying the amount deducted and the remaining balance of the card.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hong-kong-travel.org/Octopus.asp |title=Octopus |publisher=Hong Kong Travel |access-date=11 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111155354/http://www.hong-kong-travel.org/Octopus.asp |archive-date=11 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The standard transaction time for readers used for public transport is 0.3 seconds, and for retailers' card readers is 1 second.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cw.com.hk/computerworldhk/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=316427 |title=Scrap the coins |publisher=Computerworld Hong Kong |date=1 April 2006 |access-date=11 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929202201/http://www.cw.com.hk/computerworldhk/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=316427 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Public transport ====

When using the MTR heavy rail system, each passenger's entry point is recorded and the appropriate fare based on distance travelled is deducted when they validate their cards again at the exit point.

The MTR usually charges less for journeys made using an Octopus card instead of conventional single-journey tickets. For example, the adult fare of a single journey from [[Chai Wan station|Chai Wan]] to [[Tung Chung station|Tung Chung]] is HK$25.7 with an Octopus card, and HK$28.5 with a single journey ticket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/eng/planner_index.php?spot=1&start=37&destin=43&x=59&y=18 |title=Journey Time & Fare: Chai Wan to Tung Chung |publisher=MTR Corporation |access-date=1 March 2018 |archive-date=1 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301225459/http://www.mtr.com.hk/?spot=1&start=37&destin=43&x=59&y=18 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other public transport operators also offer intermittent discounts for using Octopus cards on higher fares and round-trip transits on select routes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Citybus & NWFB Offer New Octopus Same Day Return Fare Discounts on Jointly-operated Cross Harbour Tunnel Routes from 1 July |publisher=New World First Bus |date=27 June 2006 |url=http://www.nwfb.com.hk/eng/news/database/news05.asp?news_id=1015&yr=2006&cate=A |access-date=15 May 2007 |archive-date=27 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227090552/http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/home/default.aspx?intLangID=2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Taxis ====
The first trial of using Octopus card readers in [[Hong Kong taxi]]s started in June 2006 with the Yellow Taxi Group in the [[New Territories]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.octopus.com.hk/release/detail/en/20060627.jsp|title=Octopus To Be Used in Hong Kong By First Batch of Taxis|date=27 June 2006|publisher=Octopus Holdings Limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928042457/http://www.octopus.com.hk/release/detail/en/20060627.jsp|archive-date=28 September 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=29 April 2007}}</ref> It was reported on 30 October that eight of the twenty taxis participating in the trial had dropped out.<ref name="TaxiSetback">{{cite web|url=http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_37/node_83/2006/10/31/116225881510438.shtml|title=Setback for Octopus Card Trial in Taxis in HK|date=30 October 2006|publisher=Life of GuangZhou|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928200619/http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_37/node_83/2006/10/31/116225881510438.shtml|archive-date=28 September 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=29 April 2007}}</ref> Part of the reason was technical{{snd}}drivers needed to return to the office every day for accounting. Most taxi drivers in Hong Kong are self-employed and prefer to account their profit and rent on a daily basis, while Octopus transferred money through a bank after one working day, so drivers could be left over a weekend or longer waiting for their account to be reconciled. Installation and service fees are also a concern.<ref name="taxi">{{Cite web|url=https://topick.hket.com/article/1914352/%E7%9A%84%E5%A3%AB%E6%8B%92%E8%A3%9D%E5%85%AB%E9%81%94%E9%80%9A%E3%80%80CEO%EF%BC%9A%E7%9A%84%E5%A3%AB%E7%84%A1%E5%BE%97%E3%80%8C%E5%98%9F%E3%80%8D%E6%88%91%E5%A5%BD%E5%BF%9F|title=的士拒裝八達通 CEO：的士無得「嘟」我好忟|date=3 October 2017|publisher=Topick|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127032936/https://topick.hket.com/article/1914352/%E7%9A%84%E5%A3%AB%E6%8B%92%E8%A3%9D%E5%85%AB%E9%81%94%E9%80%9A%E3%80%80CEO%EF%BC%9A%E7%9A%84%E5%A3%AB%E7%84%A1%E5%BE%97%E3%80%8C%E5%98%9F%E3%80%8D%E6%88%91%E5%A5%BD%E5%BF%9F|url-status=live}}</ref>

Wong Yu-ting, the managing director of the Yellow Taxi Group, wanted retailers to offer discounts to Octopus taxi passengers, but the [[Transport Department (Hong Kong)|Transport Department]] objected as taxi fare discount is illegal in Hong Kong.<ref name="TaxiSetback" />

In March 2018, Octopus Cards Limited announced plans to re-enter the taxi payment market with a new mobile app for taxi drivers. The mobile app is able to receive funds by tapping the passenger's Octopus card to the device's [[Near-field communication]] (NFC) reader, or by allowing passengers to scan a QR code.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2135809/octopus-try-again-get-hong-kongs-40000-taxi-drivers-board|title=Octopus tries to get Hong Kong taxis on board with card reader app|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=2018-08-15|language=en|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023648/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2135809/octopus-try-again-get-hong-kongs-40000-taxi-drivers-board|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2020, Octopus Cards Limited launched Octopus Mobile POS, a more compact version of the Octopus reader to help taxi drivers and small- and medium-sized retailers accept cashless payments. The new Octopus Mobile POS, that works with the mobile app, was opportune during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], as it helped provide merchants customers with peace of mind regarding potential virus transmission. By July 2021, over 15,000 taxi drivers had installed Octopus Mobile POS.

==== Outside Hong Kong ====
In collaboration with [[China UnionPay]], Octopus Cards Limited introduced Octopus card usage to two [[Fairwood (restaurant)|Fairwood restaurants]] in Shenzhen in August 2006.<ref name="Shenzhen">{{cite web|url=http://www.octopus.com.hk/release/detail/en/20060814.jsp|title=Octopus Joins Forces with Fairwood and China UnionPay to Introduce Octopus to Shenzhen|date=14 August 2006|publisher=Octopus Holdings Limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928042526/http://www.octopus.com.hk/release/detail/en/20060814.jsp|archive-date=28 September 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=1 May 2007}}</ref> In 2008, five [[Café de Coral]] locations in Shenzhen also started accepting Octopus.<ref name="Shenzhen 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.octopus.com.hk/release/detail/en/20080131.jsp|title=Octopus joins forces with China UnionPay and Café de Coral to Expand Octopus Payment Service in Shenzhen|date=31 January 2008|publisher=Octopus Holdings Limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207084053/http://octopus.com.hk/release/detail/en/20080131.jsp|archive-date=7 February 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=3 February 2008}}</ref> Value cannot be reloaded to Octopus cards in Shenzhen, but the Automatic Add Value Service is available to automatically deduct money value from a customer's credit card to reload an Octopus card. The two Fairwood restaurants in Shenzhen that were enabled for Octopus card payments are located at [[Luohu Commercial City]] and [[Shenzhen railway station]].<ref name="Shenzhen" /> Shenzhen became the first city outside Hong Kong in which Octopus cards may be accepted as payment.

In Macau, the Octopus card was introduced in December 2006 when two [[Kentucky Fried Chicken]] restaurants in the territory adopted its usage as payment. Similar to its usage in Shenzhen, an Octopus card may not be reloaded in Macau, and the currency exchange rate between the [[Macanese pataca]] and the Hong Kong dollar when using an Octopus card is MOP1:HKD1.<ref name="Macau">{{cite web|url=http://www.octopus.com.hk/release/detail/en/20061210.jsp|title=Octopus Extends to Macau with First Acceptance of Octopus Payments at KFC|date=10 December 2006|publisher=Octopus Holdings Limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928042540/http://www.octopus.com.hk/release/detail/en/20061210.jsp|archive-date=28 September 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=1 May 2007}}</ref> The two Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in Macau that adopted the Octopus card for payment are located at the [[List of roads in Macau|Rua do Campo]] and the [[Sands Macau|Sands Casino]].<ref name="Macau" />

[[Shenzhen Tong]] cards are now widely used in Shenzhen instead, and a combined Shenzhen Tong – Hong Kong Octopus card is available, called the Hu Tong Xing, with [[Renminbi|RMB]] & [[Hong Kong dollar|HKD]] in different purses.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120910225205/http://www.szcpost.com/2010/03/shenzhen-tong-card-and-hong-kong-octopus-card-to-reach-interoperability.html Shenzhen Tong Card and Hong Kong Octopus Card to Reach Interoperability – Shenzhen Post<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[Macau Pass]] is now widely used in Macau.

=== Balance enquiries, reloading and refunds ===
[[File:MTR Mongkok Station Ticket & Octopus machine.jpg|thumb|Octopus card enquiry and add value machine in [[Mong Kok station]] in 2017.]]Spare coins can also be added on to Octopus cards at "Coin Carts", a vehicle operated by [[Hong Kong Monetary Authority]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Coin Collection Programme|url=http://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/key-functions/monetary-stability/notes-coins-hong-kong/coin-collection/|publisher=Hong Kong Monetary Authority|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003948/https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/key-functions/money/hong-kong-currency/coin-collection-programme/|url-status=live}}</ref>