Octopus has rolled out its “Easy Ride” feature in Hong Kong, allowing users to book, ride and pay for taxis within the app, following new rules mandating electronic payments for all taxis from April 1. The service connects fragmented taxi fleets amid efforts to modernise the cash-reliant sector.
Octopus is expanding deeper into Hong Kong’s transport ecosystem with a new taxi-booking feature in its app. The “Easy Ride” service enables passengers to book, ride and pay for taxis through a single interface, shifting the company’s role from payments to full journey coordination.
The rollout follows legislation effective April 1, requiring all taxis to offer at least two digital payment options—one QR code-based and one non-QR such as contactless cards—while still accepting cash. Octopus stated the move aims to cut cash reliance and boost convenience and standards.
Launched in 1997 as a public transport stored-value card, Octopus now covers retail, parking and online payments. The feature was tested in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam since May 2025, and in Japan early this year. Over 49,000 drivers have registered for the Octopus App for Business or its mobile POS devices, surpassing the Transport Department’s estimate of about 46,000 active taxi drivers.
In Q1 2026, Octopus-processed taxi e-payment transaction values rose nearly 50% year-on-year. Since the rules took effect, values jumped 74% from March, volumes more than doubled, and active drivers increased 68%. The platform includes barrier-free vehicles, larger options for luggage and premium fleets, connecting licensed operators without added fees for users or drivers.
