OPINION & EDITORIAL
View from abroad: Hong Kong’s ‘Octopus card’ technology puts even credit card to shame
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Also by Laura Rego:
- Foreign student drop dangerous (November 10, 2004)
- Goodbye Brokaw, so-long credibility (October 28, 2004)
- Cheeseheads fighting Illini (September 30, 2004)
- Breathing alcohol, literally (September 16, 2004)
- Lessons in lecture hall etiquette (September 1, 2004)
Related Stories:
- Looking forward to Hong Kong (January 19, 2004)
- Dean of Students needs to be accessible; Hong best candidate (August 30, 2002)
- Trick or treat (September 1, 2005)
- Restaurant smoking ban would protect public health (September 30, 2002)
by Laura Rego
Thursday, February 5, 2004
Three weeks after my arrival in Hong Kong, I had hoped to wow the UW community with insights into Hong Kong’s struggle for democracy and free elections in 2007 and 2008. But shortly after my arrival, a little thing called Asian flu started popping up all over the region, and everyone’s concern shifted, at least temporarily, to that. So, although the political insights will have to wait, I can regale you with a wondrous (though much less opinionated) tale of Hong Kong technology.
Hong Kong citizens, especially my fellow students here at the University of Science and Technology, are as up to date with latest advances in personal electronics as students at UW are with the latest East Coast fashions and the latest NCAA basketball poll. I’ve seen cameras, cell phones and MP3 players here that won’t filter into the United States for at least a year or two.
Hong Kong is also on the cutting edge with another, far more versatile little piece of technology: the Octopus card.
This is the most useful piece of plastic I own in Hong Kong, surpassing my Visa (well, in most cases) and my student ID (which is incredibly advanced itself) to claim that title. My love affair began two weeks ago, when, after a night of dancing and general merrymaking, I found myself moneyless and slightly turned around in the subway. Thanks to the Octopus card, I made it back to campus safe and sound despite a couple of wrong stops on the subway. I even boasted a full stomach as I strode back to my dorm at 6:45 a.m., thanks to 7-Eleven and my Octopus card.
This card is amazing. I am convinced that one could live quite well for weeks using nothing but the card. It can purchase soda and food from vending machines, anything from 7-Eleven, bus fares, newspapers, food in the school cafeteria, subway fares, groceries at the supermarket, movies, fast food … the list goes on and on and is growing constantly. You name it, the Octopus card can probably purchase it.
In fact, the card that started as an easy way to pay subway fares is fast becoming as essential as a Hong Kong residence card (think U.S. driver’s license). An Octopus card is needed to access certain parking ramps, office buildings, residential properties, schools and parks. If you don’t have one, you’re out of luck. Not that that’s ever a problem for local residents. Almost everyone has one, even brand-new exchange students.
And for the fashion-conscious, the Octopus technology has recently branched out beyond cards. There are now Octopus wrist and pocket watches, as well as mobile-phone covers with all the same capabilities as the Octopus card. Just wave your hand or your phone past the sensor and you’re on your way through the subway, into the office, or out of the 7-Eleven toting a six-pack of San Miguel. It’s straight out of a James Bond movie.
Major U.S. cities should look into adopting the Octopus card or a similar program. There is solid blueprint available in the form of the Hong Kong program and the advantages are numerous, including increased use of public transportation and therefore increased revenues, reduced overhead by reducing the number of monetary transactions, and more-efficient flow of human and vehicular traffic in public-transportation stations. Merchants such as 7-Eleven who are part of such a program would also see increased sales via the Octopus card. The advantages of such a program extend far into the future and far outweigh the initial investment and logistical requirements of set up.
Already I feel spoiled. After only three weeks, I find myself automatically scanning my card, or my wallet, or my entire purse (scanners can read the card through almost anything), and not thinking twice about how amazing that act really is. But no matter how much I come to take the technology in the Octopus card for granted during the next four months, I’m sure I’ll get a strong reminder of the magic of the card the first time I dig out my change at a bus stop back in Madison. For now, add the Octopus card to the list of Asian technology that the United States will not see anytime soon.
Laura Rego (larego@wisc.edu) is a senior studying marketing and management at the University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong. She is the former Advertising Director of the Badger Herald.
