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Hong Kong MTR to Accept Mastercard Cards for Contactless Fare Payment

August 23, 2024 | Hong Kong

Mastercard cardholders from overseas can now enjoy even greater convenience while commuting in Hong Kong

Mastercard today announced its inclusion in MTR Corporation’s contactless credit and debit card payment services, starting this Saturday, August 24, 2024. This development enables Mastercard cardholders to use their Mastercard contactless bank cards at MTR entry/exit gates when traveling on the MTR heavy rail network (excluding Airport Express), offering a more convenient cardholder experience for locals and tourists as they travel around the city.

Mastercard cardholders can simply tap their contactless credit or debit cards, as well as devices and smart watches with enabled payment, at card readers on the light blue gates in MTR stations. Currently, each MTR station (excluding Airport Express stations) is equipped with at least two entry/exit gates that provide a contactless bank card payment function. By the end of September 2024, all MTR stations’ entrances/exits will be equipped with one to two new gates to facilitate contactless card payments, with additional machines available at stations that are most frequented by tourists. (Please refer to the annex for details about the service.)

Helena Chen, Managing Director, Hong Kong and Macau, Mastercard, said, “In line with the government’s goal to accelerate the development of Hong Kong into a smart city, the addition of Mastercard cards as a contactless fare option in the MTR is a significant development that will benefit Hong Kong locals and attract tourists to the city in support of its economic rejuvenation. Mastercard cardholders can now enjoy a smarter and more seamless travel experience using their cards in Hong Kong, on top of the Priceless Specials, Mastercard Travel Rewards and Priceless Experiences covering shopping, culinary, accommodation and transportation that they already have at their fingertips.”

Reflecting Hong Kong as an important market to Mastercard, this development follows the acceptance of Mastercard cards on public transportation in other cities including London, Sydney and Singapore, where Open Loop Transit systems have been enabled and riders’ journeys are made simpler, quicker and more efficient. The success of this initiative in Hong Kong will lay a solid foundation for more similar payment facilitation measures to be rolled out elsewhere.

The addition of Mastercard cards as contactless payment option for MTR rides further boosts the experience of inbound travelers to Hong Kong. With MTR being the latest to accept Mastercard card payment, Mastercard cardholders arriving to Hong Kong can pay fares across the whole spectrum of local public transportation, including, but not limited to, Star Ferry, Tramways, buses (except New Lantao Bus routes), Peak Tram as well as selected ferry services and taxis.

Seamless Mobility for Locals and Tourists

With 3.4 billion Mastercard and Maestro cards issued globally as of June 30, 20241, the new initiative benefits locals who can now enjoy smarter travel via more e-payment options for rides and tourists who may prefer to go cashless when using the MTR, one of the most common means of public transportation in the city – which accounts for slightly over half (50.1 percent) of Hong Kong’s franchised public transport market in 20232.

1Mastercard Incorporated Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

2MTR Corporation Limited Annual Report 2023

- ENDS -

Source of below information: MTR Continues to Enhance Contactless Bank Card Payment Service by Adding Mastercard and UnionPay for Smart Travel

Photo captions:

1. Starting August 24, 2024, passengers will be able to use Mastercard contactless credit/debit cards, or devices such as smartphones and smart watches with payment enabled with these cards at the credit card readers on the light blue gates at entry/exit gates directly.

 

2. MTR Corporation will gradually update the existing signage at MTR stations. The entry/exit gates that provide contactless bank card payment services will remain in the current light blue color, and will feature Mastercard logo to guide passengers.

  

Annex

Details of Contactless Bank Card Payment at MTR Entry/Exit Gates

  • Contactless bank card payment service is only available in the MTR heavy rail network. Airport Express, Light Rail, MTR Bus, MTR Feeder Bus and High Speed Rail (Hong Kong Section) are not included.
  • Contactless bank card payment at entry/exit gates only offers adult tickets and the fares are the same as Octopus and QR code adult fares. Other MTR fare promotions, concessionary tickets and the Government’s Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme and Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities, etc. are not applicable to this service. Please refer to the MTR website for details:

https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/main/about_contactless.html

1. When approaching the gate, passengers can get ready their physical Mastercard credit card/debit card, or devices such as smartphones or smart watches with the payment function enabled with contactless credit card/debit card.

 

2. Tap the contactless bank card at the credit card reader on the light blue gate.

 

3. After tapping the card, the screen on the gate will show a green arrow and the flaps will open.

4. Before travelling on First Class on the East Rail Line, passengers have to tap their contactless bank cards at the First Class Processors on East Rail Line platforms. MTR Corporation is progressively upgrading its facilities and First Class Processors on East Rail Line trains will be able to support contactless bank card payment by the end of September 2024. 

 

5. After completing their MTR trips and exiting through the gates, passengers can check the fares for their journeys at the Contactless Bank Card Transaction Portal (contactless.mtr.com.hk) or through their bank statements.

Media Contacts

Janus Lau

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.