Bastille's Feature | New Rules, More Rides: Octopus Mobile Users Hit Nearly Half of Hong Kong

Since the mandatory e-payment requirement for taxis took effect on April 1 in Hong Kong, Octopus Cards Limited, the local market leader in electronic payments, has rolled out a commercial app and mobile payment terminals that support QR code payments. The corporation revealed that user activity on its "Octopus Easy Ride" ride-hailing platform has surged 1.8 times since launch, alongside a sharp rise in ride-hailing orders.

Ms. Nora Tang, Director of Transport Business at Octopus Cards Limited, Photo by Bastille Post

In an interview with Bastille Post, Ms. Nora Tang, Director of Transport Business at Octopus Cards Limited, said the Octopus app has been downloaded over six million times, and the number of mobile Octopus users now stands at roughly three million, approaching half of Hong Kong's population. She noted that since the platform launched, user activity has increased more than 1.8 times compared to the first day, and order volumes have risen significantly, especially on days when bad weather makes hailing a taxi difficult.

Multiple QR Code Payment Options Supported

According to the new regulation introduced by the government on April 1, all taxi drivers are required to offer a "1+1" electronic payment package, at least two payment methods for passengers, including one non-QR code option (such as Octopus card, credit card, or FPS) and one QR code option (such as AlipayHK, WeChat Pay HK, or BoC Pay).

In response, Octopus has launched the "Octopus for Business" app and "Octopus Mobile POS" for drivers, supporting Octopus Wallet, AlipayHK, WeChat Pay HK, WeChat Pay, PayMe, and UnionPay QR codes.

"Octopus Easy Ride" Offers Multiple Ride Choices

Octopus also introduced "Octopus Easy Ride" on April 22, with the goal of accelerating the digitalization of local taxi services. According to Ms. Tang, the platform currently integrates five taxi fleets across Hong Kong, totaling about 8,000 taxis, and offers a wide range of vehicle options, including standard four-seaters, six-seater luxury vehicles, and wheelchair-accessible taxis.

She said that citizens simply need to download the Octopus app and book a taxi within the familiar interface, without having to download multiple ride-hailing apps, which significantly improves both the success rate and convenience of booking a ride.

The "Octopus Easy Ride" platform currently integrates five taxi fleets across Hong Kong, totaling about 8,000 taxis, and offers a wide range of vehicle options. Photo source: Octopus

While the platform handles order dispatch smoothly, both drivers and passengers are still adjusting to the operation. Drivers need time to familiarize themselves with the order-taking process and travel-time estimates, while passengers are also getting used to the new booking rules.

Ms. Tang pointed out that many drivers in the industry are elderly and may not be tech-savvy. That's why the "Octopus Easy Ride" platform connects five local taxi fleets, licensed ride-hailing platforms, and various chambers of commerce and fleet groups. These groups use their own resources to organize fleets, while "Octopus Easy Ride" provides them access to Octopus's large customer base. "This significantly lowers the barrier for drivers to participate in ride-hailing and gives them an additional, stable source of income alongside traditional street-hailing," she explained.

Fixed Pricing Helps Reduce Disputes

"Octopus Easy Ride" uses a fixed-price mechanism. Ms. Tang explained that each fleet sets a capped fare based on pickup location, destination, real-time traffic conditions, and its own operating costs. Passengers can see quotes from different fleets when booking, and if the final fare from the matched fleet is lower, the platform refunds the difference.

The five local taxi fleets cooperated with the platform, Photo source: Octopus

"This mechanism effectively reduces disputes over detours, traffic jams, or meter fares, ensuring fairness for both passengers and drivers," she said. The platform also uses taxi meter rates as a benchmark to prevent cutthroat price competition and maintain a healthy industry ecosystem. Currently, the platform does not allow passengers to change their destination after boarding. If needed, they can cancel the ride and negotiate with the driver to use the traditional meter.

Some media tests have shown that "Octopus Easy Ride" fares are typically a few tens of dollars higher than street-hailed taxis. Ms. Tang acknowledged that passengers want lower prices, but noted that drivers also face operating costs such as car rental, charging, and fuel. "The platform aims to strike a balance between the two," she said. From now until June 30, 2026, every "Octopus Easy Ride" customer can receive a coupon worth up to HK$100.

Driver and Transaction Fees Waived

Ms. Tang said Octopus will continue to work with local taxi groups to bring more fleets onto the platform and will keep driver and transaction fees waived, supporting drivers who use the "Octopus for Business" app and "Octopus Mobile POS." Starting this June, the monthly transfer limit from the app to personal Octopus cards will be significantly raised to HK$40,000, improving cash flow. The platform will also gradually add new features, including more vehicle options and enhanced support for visitors to Hong Kong.

Octopus Cards Limited, Photo by Bastille Post

She also mentioned that Octopus first launched an overseas version of "Octopus Easy Ride" last May in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan, mainly to provide Hong Kong residents with a seamless ride-hailing experience while traveling abroad, allowing them to solve problems using a familiar app and Cantonese-speaking customer service. Since its launch, usage of the overseas version has more than quadrupled. The Hong Kong version has been adapted based on that experience, with a greater focus on collaboration with local fleets and groups to lower the barriers for driver participation.

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — A stadium selfie could soon cost fans of German soccer giant Borussia Dortmund after the club announced plans to reward those who leave their phones alone during the game.

Dortmund is offering signed jerseys and gift cards for club merchandise to fans who use an app which measures how often they unlock their phones at its stadium.

Arguing that “more and more fans are annoyed by selfies, streaming, and social media in the stands,” Dortmund says supporters can volunteer to use a “fan mode” in the club's app, starting Saturday with a home game against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Fan mode will measure how often the phone is unlocked during the game — not counting the halftime break — and award points to people based on how little they use the device, with prizes on offer for those with the most points. Each time the phone is unlocked, the user loses points.

“Over 81,000 people in the stadium, singing, cheering, and holding their breath together: this here and now is irreplaceable,” Dortmund CEO Carsten Cramer said in a statement Thursday.

The rewards scheme and app are voluntary and there's no ban on fans using their phones.

German soccer is famed for its vocal fanbase, especially Dortmund's vast and loud “Yellow Wall” standing section.

The club's stance is part of a backlash in German soccer against attempts to turn its stadium atmosphere into social media content, especially by influencers using professional camera equipment.

Second-division club Hertha Berlin said this month it was banning “commercially produced and monetized” video productions from its games, while allowing fans to take photos and videos for personal use.

Another club, Dynamo Dresden, said in August it would ban commercial filming for social media, saying it wanted to ensure fans felt comfortable at the game and to protect the club's TV rights deals.

Fans are being encouraged to put their phones away, but Dortmund's players will be left to their own devices, coach Niko Kovac said Friday.

Kovac said he already bans phones from a pregame meal the team spends together, but he doesn't mind players using phones or wearing headphones in the locker room or the team bus.

“The guys are grown up enough to work out what they need to get ready for the game,” Kovac said.

Even so, “I think we could all spend a little less time looking at our phones now and then,” Kovac said. “If we cut back on it we can all concentrate a bit more on other things.”

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Borussia's fans cheer during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sabah FK and Borussia Dortmund in Baku, Azerbaijan, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo)

Borussia Dortmund's fans hold up their team scarfs prior to the start of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen in Dortmund, Germany, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)