21 June 2001

Over 100 Maxicab Routes Using Octopus

Creative Star Limited is pleased to announce that over 100 maxicab routes are now using the Octopus.

The Octopus was first introduced onto maxicabs in November 1999 when 2 maxicab routes operated by the Aberdeen Maxicab Company serving south Hong Kong Island were equipped with Octopus readers.

Since then there has been a steady increase in the number of operators choosing to adopt the Octopus, and over 100 maxicab routes with around 900 maxicabs are now providing some 250,000 passengers each day with the fast, convenient, coin-free Octopus payment method. By end August it is expected that 1,100 maxicabs, or almost half of the green maxicab fleet, will be fitted with Octopus readers.

In addition to its convenience for commuters, the Octopus helps maxicab operators to attract more passengers, to reduce passenger boarding times and to reduce coin handling costs. The Octopus thus both upgrades service quality and enhances profits.

Octopus was launched in September 1997. Today, more than 7.5 million cards are in circulation which are being utilized for over 6 million transactions each day. Creative Star, the operator of the Octopus system, now has over 40 service providers including public transport, car parks, retailing services such as convenience stores, fast food, cake shops, and self-help services like vending, photo booths, photocopiers, as well as leisure facilities and access control for housing estates.

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For media enquiries:

Ms Joan Ng
Director of Marketing
Creative Star Limited
Tel. No. 2266 2226
Fax No. 2266 2254