2-in-1 smart card launched to ease intercity commutes, China
13 September, 2012
category: Contactless, Smart Cards, Transit
Hong Kong and Shenzhen citizens will soon be offered a convenience with intercity commuting and spending with the introduction of the “Hu Tong Xing” smart card, according to China Daily.
Octopus Cards Ltd and Shenzhentong Co Ltd together launched a two-in-one co-named smart card that combines a Hong Kong dollar e-purse and a yuan e-purse. The card aims to provide greater convenience for those who travel frequently between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, offering electronic payment on both public transportation and in retail stores.
Octopus Cards CEO Sunny Cheung said the card’s demand should be great, as currently there are tens of thousands people who travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen every day. Cheung also noted that currently due to foreign currency controls and technical reasons, the card users would have to top up their yuan e-purse in Shenzhen and Hong Kong dollar e-purse in Hong Kong.
For adults, the “Hu Tong Xing” card (priced at a non-refundable charge of HK$98) will be on sale from September 11 in Hong Kong. If the market reaction for the card is positive, the company will consider launching a version for children and another for the elderly.
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