MTR Hong Kong to Upgrade Automatic Fare Collection System with New Gates and Credit Card Payment Option
MTR (Mass Transit Railway), established in 1975, is a public transportation company based in Hong Kong. The company currently operates 10 railway lines and 93 railway stations in Hong Kong. MTR also operates the Airport Express, which provides a direct connection between Hong Kong International Airport and the city center. MTR is known for its efficient and reliable transportation services, with an on-time performance rate of over 99%.
The other unique thing about MTR network is the Octopus fare collection system, a contactless smart card payment system used for electronic payments in Hong Kong. It is estimated that over 33 million Octopus cards are in circulation in Hong Kong, which is equivalent to more than four times the city’s population. However, MTR is planning to further improve customer experience by upgrading the existing payment system.
MTR plans to invest over $1.3 billion to upgrade the Automatic Fare Collection System new gates to be launched to add a Credit Card payment option. The Corporation released the expression of interest to add a credit card payment provision in the payment solution and launched new EOI to bundle the Automatic Fare Collection System for the 5 new extension projects:
- Tung Chung Line Extension (TUE)
- Oyster Bay Station (OYB)
- Tuen Mun South Extension (TME)
- Kwu Tung Station on East Rail Line (KTU(EAL))
- Hung Shui Kiu (HSK)
MTR unveiled a long-term asset renewal plan for the AFC system in 2020 to provide more e-payment options to riders. The plan includes:
• replacing more than 2,400 entry/exit gates in the heavy rail network with new gates with slimmer flap-gate design, or adding readers to existing gates, so as to upgrade the gate functions
• gradually enhancing the payment functions of Customer Service Centres at MTR stations throughout the network.
Currently, there are 9 MTR stations accepting e-payment at Customer Service Centres at which passengers can use cash, Octopus, QR code e-wallets or credit cards to purchase products such as Monthly Pass Extra, City Saver, and MTR souvenirs.
MTR is planning to install new gates and the addition of readers to the existing gates at the Racecourse, Hang Hau, Lohas Park and other stations progressively. The corporation is planning to introduce a contactless credit card ticketing service by the end of 2023. The riders can pay the fare Octopus, Single Journey Ticket, QR code e-wallets, or contactless credit card payment.
