Hong Kong's e-payment operator Octopus has launched a QR code service aimed at transitioning the city's 40,000 taxi drivers away from cash. The smartphone service, which is also targeted at small sellers, removes the need for merchants to install card readers. In an interview with Reuters, CEO and co-founder Alex Lau said that by using mobile payments, customers can avoid paying cash altogether. Taxi industry insiders said more data protection and incentives are needed to boost its uptake amongst drivers.
Hong Kong's e-payment operator Octopus has launched a QR code service aimed at transitioning the city's 40,000 taxi drivers away from cash. The smartphone service, which is also targeted at small sellers, removes the need for merchants to install card readers. So far the service has not proved widely popular. Taxi industry insiders said more data protection and incentives are needed to boost its uptake amongst drivers.