Visa and Hong Kong Tramways invite commuters and tourists to rediscover Hong Kong through longest-ever promotion collaboration on the ‘Ding Ding’

07/05/2023

  • Commuters and travelers from around the world will now be able to pay their tram fares in Hong Kong with Visa and enjoy the longest promotion period ever offered on Hong Kong trams.
  • The partnership will help revitalize the iconic trams by connecting them to an open-loop system powered by Visa’s contactless solutions, marking a step further to accelerating the development of smart mobility.  
  • A YouGov study1 commissioned by Visa finds that most respondents (89%) believe accepting all payment methods on public transport would give Hong Kong’s tourism industry a competitive advantage.

 

From left to right: Felix Chan, General Manager of Business Development, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Paul Tirvaudey, Managing Director, Hong Kong Tramways, Paulina Leong, General Manager of Hong Kong and Macau, Visa, Cheung Ka-long, Olympic fencer and Team Visa athlete
 

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, and Hong Kong Tramways jointly announced the longest-ever consumer promotion offered on Hong Kong trams, in celebration of Visa’s payment acceptance launch. The collaboration aims to encourage commuters and travelers from around the world to rediscover Hong Kong’s unique streetscape and local culture by riding this beloved historic mode of transport via tapping-to-pay with Visa.

From July 6 to December 31 this year, passengers who tap to pay for their tram fare with Visa contactless using credit, debit and prepaid card, or via mobile wallet provisioned with a Visa card, may enjoy a discount of HKD 1 for every single ride priced at HKD 32 .

The collaboration also underscores the importance of preserving the authenticity of trams while embracing innovation to keep it relevant, especially as Hong Kong strives to become a world-class smart city. According to a recent YouGov survey commissioned by Visa3 , most Hong Kong respondents rank the tram (30%) as the transportation mode that best represents Hong Kong’s cultural identity, followed by the Mass Transit Railway (25%) and Peak Tram (17%).

“We’re excited to introduce Visa payment acceptance on trams in Hong Kong, which will further accelerate the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s public transport through payment,” said Paulina Leong, General Manager, Visa Hong Kong and Macau. “Hong Kong trams, or most of us call it as ‘Ding Ding’, are cultural icons that hold a special place in the hearts of citizens and tourists alike, as it provides them with a unique and enjoyable way to get around and experience the city’s local culture. We’re thrilled to see that people can now pay for their tram ride just as they would for any other purchase made with Visa’s contactless solution anywhere around the world in a convenient and secure way. At Visa, we believe that an open-loop system with a universal payment solution offers an inclusive and rider-friendly experience for everyone, everywhere.”

The survey also finds that most Hong Kong respondents (89%) believe that accepting all payment methods on public transport would give Hong Kong’s tourism industry a competitive advantage, underlining the importance of payment options as a crucial aspect of the overall travel experience for many individuals.

“HK Tramways is always open and ready to accept all the latest payment technologies with the aim to embrace digital transformation while preserve trams as a unique icon and cultural heritage in Hong Kong,” said Paul Tirvaudey, Managing Director, Hong Kong Tramways. “Through collaborating with Visa, we can further increase our exposure and accessibility to both local riders and international visitors. With Visa’s contactless solution, passengers can conveniently take a ride on tram and enjoy the scenery of Northern Hong Kong Island easily. We hope to bring a more decent and comfortable travel experience to them and contribute to Hong Kong’s Smart City Blueprint.”

The marketing campaign of the collaboration will feature Hong Kong’s home-grown Olympic fencer and Team Visa athlete Cheung Ka-long. Leong added, “Ka-long’s unyielding dedication towards his craft embodies the spirit and authenticity of Hong Kong, and reflects Visa’s underlying values of acceptance and inclusivity.”

Visa is committed to transforming the way people move around the city through digital payment. Globally, Visa has worked with more than 150 cities – large and small – around the world to provide contactless payments using debit, credit and prepaid solutions. In Hong Kong, Visa has been collaborating with partners to support the rollout of the smart mobility initiative. From parking meters, road tunnels, buses, taxis to trams, Visa is leading the way in reimagining the future of a smart city by providing better travel experiences for all people.

 

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1 All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from a YouGov study commissioned by Visa. The study interviewed 1,016 adults aged 18 and over in Hong Kong in June 2023. The survey was carried out online.
2 General terms and conditions apply. Please visit the Hong Kong Tramways Limited website (https://www.hktramways.com/en/visa-on-trams) for details. Quotas of this offer are subject to limited availability and will be allocated and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
3 All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from a YouGov study commissioned by Visa. The study interviewed 1,016 adults aged 18 and over in Hong Kong in June 2023. The survey was carried out online. 


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About Visa
Visa is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

About HK Tramways
Hong Kong Tramways Limited (Tramways) has been serving Hong Kong since 1904 and operates nowadays a fleet of 165 tramcars including 2 antique party tramcars, 1 unique “TramOramic Tour” sightseeing tramcar and 1 unprecedented Tram No.18 which focuses on providing premium social gathering experiences. Tramways is the world’s largest fleet of double-deck tramcars in operation, carrying up to 200,000 passengers every day. It has been keeping up efforts in developing a world-wide recognized icon, while offering the greenest, the most affordable and the most joyful transport mode in Hong Kong. 

Tramways is owned by RATP Dev Group.

www.hktramways.com
Facebook & Weibo: Hong Kong Tramways
Instagram: @hktramways