Press Release 5 June 2025
Octopus Launches a Comprehensive Taxi Ecosystem Solution with First Partner BigBoss Taxi
Driving Digital Transformation of Taxis and Hong Kong's Smart City Ambition
(HONG KONG, 5 June 2025) Octopus Cards Limited has partnered with BigBoss Taxi fleet to launch a comprehensive taxi ecosystem solution that integrates ride-hailing, electronic payments, and driver settlement services. The new "Easy Ride" platform delivers a one-stop solution for passengers and drivers while accelerating digital transformation across Hong Kong's taxi industry.
Platform Integration Simplifies Urban Mobility
The outbound version of "Easy Ride" was launched on 27th May. The service integrates multiple taxi fleets within the Octopus App, eliminating the need for passengers to download separate applications. Users can book both fleet and regular taxis while paying seamlessly with Octopus cards, Mobile Octopus, or Octopus Wallet.
BigBoss Taxi brings diverse vehicle options to the platform, including pure electric eco-friendly taxis, hybrid models, six-seater luxury cars, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles. This comprehensive fleet caters to personal travel, family transportation, business needs, and accessibility requirements.
Key passenger benefits include:
- Enhanced convenience through unified booking across multiple taxi fleets
- Streamlined payments without re-registering payment methods across apps
- Diverse vehicle options meeting varied travel requirements
Revolutionising Driver Settlement System
Octopus simultaneously launches "Easy Payout," an innovative driver salary and fare settlement system that operates independently of banking hours. The pilot program covers approximately 300 BigBoss Taxi drivers, with plans for broader fleet expansion.
The system provides drivers with flexible payment collection, allowing income transfers to commercial Octopus accounts for immediate use across the city's merchant network. Drivers can access detailed income records through the Octopus App for Business and transfer funds to personal bank accounts as needed.
Industry Leadership in Digital Transformation
Since launching the Octopus App for Business in 2018, Octopus has waived transfer fees and given mobile point-of-sales free of charge to taxi drivers. The company opened its taxi payment network in early 2024, supporting multiple digital wallets including UnionPay, AlipayHK, WeChat Pay, and PayMe by HSBC.
Tim Ying, Chief Executive Officer of Octopus, said: "Octopus has been driving taxi digitalization for almost a decade. More than 30,000 drivers now accept payments fee-free through our platform. With 'Easy Ride,' we're completing the ecosystem: call, pay, settle all in one seamless experience. This isn't just about convenience; it's about transforming how Hong Kong people get around town, making every journey smarter for passengers and drivers."
Alex Chiu, Chief Operating Officer of BigBoss Taxi, said: "BigBoss is delighted to be the first taxi fleet in Hong Kong to collaborate with Octopus. Passengers can enjoy a seamless travel experience with 'one-click booking and instant payment' through the Octopus 'Easy Ride' platform or the BigBoss App. We firmly believe this partnership will bring more business opportunities to our drivers and offer passengers a more transparent and reliable point-to-point travel option. Through technology, we look forward to joining forces with Octopus to invigorate and diversify the industry, working together to realise the vision of smart mobility."
Expanding Smart City Infrastructure
The partnership builds on Octopus's proven track record in taxi digitalization. Electronic taxi payments through Octopus Mobile POS surged 70% during the Easter holiday period, while tourist Mobile Octopus usage increased 62% year-on-year.
Octopus plans to expand partnerships with additional taxi fleets, further enhancing service coverage and contributing to Hong Kong's smart city development through comprehensive digital mobility solutions. Octopus is now accepted at nearly 190,000 acceptance points citywide with growing online footprint.
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