Good news for Hong Kong commuters. MTR Corporation has announced that it will accept two more electronic payment methods starting August 24. So, travellers can make payments using Mastercard and UnionPay at the gates in addition to Visa. This makes MTR travel much easier and smoother.
Commuters simply need to tap their bank cards or devices at the gates to pay the train fares. However, the new contactless payment options will not be available for concessional fares.
Payment via Mastercard and UnionPay will be available for MTR travel
From August 26 onwards, passengers can start using Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay to enter and exit the gates during MTR rides. The additional e-payment choices allow extra convenience to both locals and tourists.
Other than physical contactless credit cards and debit cards, the gates will also accept payment-enabled devices such as mobile phones or smartwatches. Visit the official website for more details.
By September, each MTR station except for Airport Express, will have up to two new gates that will accept different payment methods. For Airport Express, there are plans to upgrade the fare gates and add contactless and QR code payments by 2026.
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Airport Express Morning Express service to increase fares
MTR Corporation also announced that it will increase the fare for its Airport Express Morning service. Passengers need to pay HKD 25 starting August 26. The current HKD 20 fare applies to passengers with valid Octopus cards.
The increase will affect those travelling from Kowloon Station or Tsing Yi Station to Hong Kong Station between 7 am to 10 am on weekdays, excluding public holidays. Make sure to use the dedicated gate to enjoy the service.
Note that passengers cannot use the same Octopus to enjoy free MTR journey connections. Free return or a round-trip journey to and from the Airport or AsiaWorld-Expo within the same day is also not possible.
Hero image credit: Visa; featured image credit: MTR Corporation
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Written by
Jianne Soriano
Senior Digital Writer (Growth) - Dining, Culture & Travel
An introvert at heart, Jianne has an immense passion for storytelling. After working in Tokyo, this Filipino, Hong Kong-born native is back to tell stories about her home(s). When she’s not writing, you can find her looking for the best hojicha spots, binge-watching her comfort movies, or travelling solo.
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