Press Release 19 July 2024
MTR x Octopus Gentle Reminder:
Continue to Enjoy the $2 Scheme with JoyYou Card
Eligible Seniors Are Advised to Apply As Soon As Possible
The Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities (“$2 Scheme”) will implement a new arrangement starting from 25 August 2024. All Hong Kong residents aged 60 or above must use a JoyYou Card to enjoy the $2 Scheme. Under the new arrangement, if eligible passengers continue to take MTR trips by using the “Anonymous Elder Octopus” or “Personalised Elder Octopus” after implementation, they can only benefit from the Elderly Concessionary Fares offered by MTR Corporation (“MTR”), which are approximately half the price of Adult Fares, but no longer the $2 Scheme. MTR and Octopus Cards Limited (“OCL”) advise eligible passengers who have not yet applied for a JoyYou Card to submit their application by 28 July 2024 (Sunday) or earlier to ensure they can obtain the card in time and continue to enjoy MTR journeys for $2.
Since the application process of JoyYou Card takes around four weeks to complete, individuals are encouraged to submit their application no later than 28 July 2024 otherwise they may not be able to obtain and use the card in time for the start of the new arrangement. Those who have already obtained a JoyYou Card can use it immediately to enjoy the $2 concession fare with ease.
Application forms of the JoyYou Card along with prepaid return envelopes can be obtained at most of MTR and Light Rail Customer Service Centres. Eligible beneficiaries can also download the application forms from the JoyYou Card website or submit their applications via the Octopus App. In addition, OCL has set up the following eight temporary JoyYou Card application service centres to assist persons in need in submitting applications or supplementary information:
- Conference Room, 2/F, Kennedy Town Community Complex (12 Rock Hill Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong);
- Conference Room, G/F, Leighton Hill Community Hall (133 Wong Nai Chung Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong);
- Room 210, 2/F, Wong Tai Sin Community Centre (104 Ching Tak Street, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon);
- Conference Room, Mong Kok Community Hall, L2, Mong Kok Complex (557 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon);
- Conference Room, G/F, Tai Yuen Community Hall (Tai Yuen Estate, Tai Po, New Territories);
- Conference Room, 4/F, North District Community Centre (2 Lung Wan Street, Sheung Shui, New Territories);
- Activity Room, G/F, Kwai Fong Community Hall (2 Lai Fong Street, Kwai Chung, New Territories); and
- Conference Room, G/F, Long Ping Community Hall (Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long, New Territories).
The opening hours of these service centres are 9am to 8pm from Mondays to Fridays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays until 31 August 2024. They will be closed on Sundays and public holidays. The service centres will also be open on the effective date for the new arrangement i.e. Sunday, 25 August from 9 am to 6 pm. Members of the public who need assistance in applying for a JoyYou Card may visit these service centres during opening hours, or call the JoyYou Card Application Service Hotline at 3147 1388 for enquiries.
MTR would also like to remind JoyYou Card holders that they can immediately enjoy the $2 concession fare for domestic MTR services, including Heavy Rail, Light Rail, MTR Feeder Bus and MTR Bus (Northwest New Territories)¹ after topping up their card with an amount higher than $50 for the first time and ensuring a positive card balance before entering the gate.
Both MTR and OCL have launched various promotions to inform passengers of the new arrangement. MTR Customer Service Centre staff will also proactively remind elderly passengers when handling their ticketing issues. We would like to appeal to the public to join us in reminding their elderly family members and friends about the relevant arrangement.
For details please refer to http://www.lwb.gov.hk/en/highlights/fare_concession/
¹ Excluding the Airport Express, East Rail Line services to and from Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau Stations, and first-class service of the East Rail Line. In addition, JoyYou Card holders aged between 60 and 64 are required to pay full adult Octopus fares/surcharges for East Rail Line journeys to and from Racecourse Station.
Photo Caption
1. MTR and OCL advise eligible passengers who have not yet applied for a JoyYou Card to submit their application by 28 July 2024 or earlier to ensure they can obtain the card in time and continue to enjoy MTR journeys for $2.
2. Application forms of the JoyYou Card along with prepaid return envelopes can be obtained at most of MTR and Light Rail Customer Service Centres. The staff at MTR Customer Service Centre will also proactively remind elderly passengers when handling their ticketing issues.
3. OCL has set up eight temporary JoyYou Card application service centres to assist persons in need in submitting applications or supplementary information.
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