Visa fosters digital payments across HK's taxi sector

Visa has unveiled a promotional campaign to encourage the use of Visa Tap to Pay for taxi fares, accelerating the adoption of digital payments across Hong Kong’s taxi industry. 

The initiative builds on Visa’s efforts since 2022 to enable digital taxi payments and aligns with the Hong Kong government’s newly launched Taxi Fleet Scheme, as well as the peak inbound travel season. By enhancing payment convenience and offering more options for travellers, Visa’s smart mobility efforts will continue to support the city’s tourism and transport ambitions, enabling smoother, more visitor-friendly journeys from airport to city.

Running from 22 July to 31 December, the initiative allows cardholders using Visa cards issued in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan to enjoy an HK$10 cashback per trip upon spending HK$100 or more on a single taxi ride. The offer is available through participating ride-hailing apps and in-vehicle POS terminals equipped with Visa Tap to Pay.

Currently, about 1,500 taxis, including both fleet and non-fleet taxis, are equipped to accept Visa Tap to Pay via POS terminals and ride-hailing apps. Participating vehicles will feature dedicated Visa logo decals on the window of the taxis for easy identification.

At the Hong Kong International Airport, fleet taxis also benefit from exclusive pick-up zones, streamlining pickup for arriving travellers and providing a seamless point of contact for tourists as they step into the city. Following the official launch of the Taxi Fleet Scheme, the number of taxis equipped to accept Visa Tap to Pay is expected to expand significantly, with an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 additional vehicles anticipated to enter service over the next year.

Over the past few years, Visa has expanded its partnerships with various taxi services and digital payment providers. This campaign marks an important milestone in Visa’s broader smart mobility roadmap for Hong Kong, following the rollout of contactless payments across the MTR, buses, trams, ferries, amongst others.

"Hong Kong continues to be amongst the top places to visit for global travellers, thanks to our world-class public transport system that ensures seamless connectivity and a worry-free experience for every visitor," said Paulina Leong (pictured right), general manager of Hong Kong and Macau at Visa.

"For the millions of tourists who visit Hong Kong each year, taxis are often their first touchpoint and an essential mode of transport when exploring the city. By enabling Visa card payments in taxis, we are extending the convenience, security, and rewards of everyday Visa usage into an integral part of urban mobility. Our partnerships with taxi fleet operators reflect Visa's long-term commitment to enabling innovation and making payments effortless - anywhere, anytime," Leong added.

Becky Ip (pictured left), deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said, “HKTB is committed to reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a world-class tourism destination. The rollout of digital taxi payments is a welcoming move that can uplift the service quality and offer greater convenience for locals and visitors. We welcome partners like Visa to join us in elevating visitor experience in Hong Kong, allowing our guests a hassle-free navigation while enjoying all that Hong Kong has to offer."

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Visa for more information. 

Don't miss: Octopus drives digitalisation across taxi industry with BigBoss partnership

Beyond credit cards, Octopus Cards also forged a strategic partnership with BigBoss Taxi to unveil "Easy Ride" (Call車易), an all-in-one platform integrating ride-hailing, electronic payments, and driver settlement services. The partnership aims to deliver a one-stop solution for passengers and drivers while accelerating digital transformation across Hong Kong's taxi industry.

This partnership comes as the usage of taxi payments with mobile Octopus increases. According to the release, electronic taxi payments through Octopus mobile POS surged by 70% during the Easter holiday period, while tourist mobile Octopus usage increased by 62% YoY.

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