Taxi drivers cannot impose surcharges for using the Octopus card payment platform and are already enjoying fee waivers, the company has told HKFP in response to a row over additional fees. A widely circulated online photo from earlier this month showing a taxi – using the DASH ride-hailing platform – charging a 3 per cent fee on top of the fare for all electronic payments. Photo: Billy Chan/Facebook. As of April 1, all Hong Kong taxis must accept at least two forms of e-payment . The methods must include one QR code e-payment option, such as WeChat Pay HK, and at least one non-QR code e-payment method, such as a credit card or Octopus card.
A widely circulated online photo from earlier this month showed a warning sign in a taxi, which was using the DASH ride-hailing platform, stating that a 3 per cent fee would be imposed for electronic payments. It sparked debate over who receives the fee, prompting the Transport Department to clarify that additional platform fees are allowed, as they are not part of the fare, according to The Standard.
However, an Octopus spokesperson told HKFP on Friday that it did not allow handling fees to be imposed on customers. “Under our merchant terms and conditions, taxi drivers accepting Octopus via the Octopus App for Business or Octopus Mobile POS are not allowed to impose [an] additional fee on passengers,” the company said. HSBC PayMe is also accepted via the Octopus app in taxis. File photo: Octopus. It said that over 47,000 taxi drivers had registered to accept Octopus. “Octopus does not charge taxi drivers any transaction or handling fees for using the Octopus App for Business and Octopus Mobile POS, and we will continue to waive these fees as part of our ongoing efforts to support the taxi industry’s transition to cashless payments and contribute to Hong Kong’s digital transformation,” the company added.
According to Octopus, if customers encounter any taxi drivers imposing fees, they can call their hotline on 2266 2222, submit an online enquiry or contact the Consumer Council.
Against rules but not illegal
The issue of payment platform surcharging is a grey area. The practice is not banned by the authorities, but Octopus and major credit card firms forbid it as part of merchant agreements. The acceptance of e-payments became mandatory for Hong Kong taxis on April 1, 2026. Photo: GovHK. Last month, Assistant Commissioner for Transport Louisa Fung told Hongkongers to check whether their chosen e-payment platforms impose extra surcharges, according to RTHK . On March 15, in the lead-up to the new rules, the Transport Department said in a press release that it had been stepping up publicity and public education to familiarise taxi drivers with the mandatory requirement.
If a taxi driver fails to provide electronic payment methods at the end of a ride, passengers are still obliged to pay the fare. Passengers may report the case by noting the time, date, taxi licence plate, and driver details and calling 1823 or 2889 9999.
Visa and Mastercard did not respond to HKFP’s enquiries.