13 September 2007

Instant Issuance of Personalised Octopus Cards at MTR Roadshows

(Hong Kong, 13 September 2007) Octopus Cards Limited (OCL) will launch an instant issuance service tomorrow to encourage existing Anonymous Octopus cardholders to apply for free Personalised Octopus cards in the first of a series of MTR roadshows. This service is part of OCL's new initiative to enhance its products and services as well as strengthen customers’ confidence in using Octopus' services.

In the special promotion, a total of 16 roadshows will be held at different MTR stations from September to December to issue Personalised Octopus cards on the spot as well as increase the awareness of a range of privileges enjoyed by Personalised Octopus cardholders, such as lost card protection. Services applicable to various types of Octopus are listed in the Appendix. Additional incentives to encourage Anonymous Octopus cardholders to apply for Personalised Octopus include a HK$20 handling fee waiver until 31 July 2008, instant issuance and new card back design (see photograph).

In addition, applicants at the roadshows can also apply for the Automatic Add Value Service (AAVS) and register for, and activate, Octopus Rewards membership with their new Personalised Octopus - all in one go. An Octopus with AAVS linked to a credit card account is automatically reloaded - once daily - when its remaining value reaches a zero or negative balance, or is insufficient to settle a transaction. Octopus Rewards allows members to earn and redeem Reward Dollars with the use of their registered cards.

The first roadshow will run from 11.00 am to 8.00 pm for four consecutive days beginning from tomorrow (14 September) at the Tseung Kwan O MTR Station. Details of the 15 roadshows scheduled for the next three months are shown in the Appendix.

Applications for Personalised Octopus printed with the holder's photographs or with student status are handled through the customer service centre at designated MTR and KCR stations.

For more information, please visit the Octopus website (www.octopus.com.hk) 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 450 service providers across different businesses including public transport, parking, retail, vending and kiosks, schools and leisure facilities, as well as access control for residential and commercial buildings. Merchants and Octopus holders embrace Octopus for both its simplicity and its convenience. Today, more than 15 million Octopus are in circulation, and the system handles over 10 million transactions a day, with transaction value exceeding HK$80.4 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.

Photo caption:
Personalised Octopus card face	New design of Personalised Octopus card back

Appendix

Services Applicable to Various Types of Octopus

Schedule of Roadshows for Personalised Octopus Instant Issuance Service

Note:

1. Roadshows are open from 11.00 am to 8.00 pm.
2. The information in this schedule may be changed by OCL. Please visit the Octopus website www.octopus.com.hk or call the Octopus Customer Hotline 2266-2222 to check for up-to-date information.