(Hong Kong, 23 May 2007) Octopus today launches the 2007 Limited Edition Octopus
Cards, featuring two major historic landmarks – the Star
Ferry Pier and Hong Kong International Airport - to commemorate
the 10th Anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.
Using the then-and-now approach, the limited edition series comes in four designs
in two sets. The first set comprises two Octopus cards printed
with the images of the Star Ferry Pier in Central in 1997
and 2007, respectively. Located near City Hall and General
Post Office, the old pier was built in 1957 to serve ferries
crossing Victoria Harbour since 1888. Relocated in November
last year, the old pier has now been replaced by the Central
Piers 7 and 8, about 300 metres from the former site. It
sports a new clock tower based on the original pier's look-and-feel
in 1912.
The second set adopts the Hong Kong
International Airport as its design focus. Located in the
densely populated Kowloon City, the old Kai Tak Airport was
internationally renowned for the spectacular city views of
Hong Kong it offered to air passengers during landing. Relocated
to Chek Lap Kok on Lantau Island in 1998, the Hong Kong International
Airport was named the "World's Best Airport" for five consecutive
years from 2001 to 2005.
Available in a limited quantity of
1,000 for each set and with a serial number printed on each
card, the 2007 Limited Edition Octopus Card series is priced
at HK$498 per set, with an initial stored value of HK$10
in each card. For customers who purchase both sets, all four
Octopus cards with the same serial number will be reserved
for them on a first-come, first-served basis. The series
is available for sale from today via Octopus website www.octopuscards.com.hk.
For more details, please visit the Octopus website, or call
the Octopus Customer Hotline at 2266 2222.
About Octopus
Launched in 1997, Hong Kong's Octopus
is the world’s leading and most extensive smartcard payment
system, with over 444 service providers across different
businesses including public transport, parking, retail, vending
and kiosks, schools, leisure facilities and access control
for residential and commercial buildings. Merchants and Octopus
holders embrace Octopus for both its simplicity and its convenience.
Today, 15 million Octopus are in circulation, and the system
handles over 10 million transactions a day, with transaction
value exceeding HK$78 million.
In recent years, Octopus has started
to export its unique experience and technology overseas,
offering consultancy services and holding workshops for parties
from different parts of the world.
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