Over 47,000 cabbies adopt Octopus, card readers ahead of e-payment regulations

More than 47,000 taxi drivers have adopted the commercial version of the Octopus app or equipped their cabs with mobile card readers ahead of new electronic payment regulations taking effect in Hong Kong on Wednesday, transport authorities have said.The new measures require cab drivers to provide at least two e-payment options, as part of a broader government push to modernise the industry’s image and service quality.The Transport Department on Tuesday said the three dedicated service stations at government car parks in Sheung Wan, Kwai Fong and Tsuen Wan would remain open until Saturday to provide last-minute support.It said more than 3,000 cabbies had already booked appointments to ensure compliance with the regulations.Chau Kwok-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, said that cabbies were ready to step into the new era of digital payment.“The association has been working tirelessly to train elderly drivers in digital payment systems,” he said.