Octopus Partners with WETAXI HK to Launch a Mobile Taxi-hailing Platform

(Hong Kong, 9 August 2018) - Octopus Cards Limited (OCL) is collaborating with Wetaxi Technology Company, an incubatee under the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s (HKSTP) incubation programme, to provide innovative taxi-hailing and payment services using Octopus cards or Octopus O! ePay, through the WETAXI HK app. The two companies are also launching a charity programme, through which passengers can contribute to the community when using the app and paying taxi fares with Octopus.

Unique “Win-Win” feature for taxi drivers and passengers

Since May this year, WETAXI HK and OCL have been encouraging taxi drivers to join the Octopus App for Business platform. To date, about 800 urban and New Territories taxi drivers have successfully applied for Business O! ePay accounts for accepting taxi fare payments through Octopus cards or O! ePay.

WETAXI HK is a free app and has a “Win-Win” feature, which displays the locations where taxi drivers are going when changing their shifts. Passengers needing a taxi to destinations close to these highlighted destinations can contact the drivers directly. This feature matches the needs of taxi drivers and passengers and can resolve the problem of taxi service shortages during shift changes.

In addition, WETAXI HK will also feature a driver rating system, through which passengers can rate drivers based on their driving manners, taxi cleanliness, personal demeanour and service quality. In the WETAXI HK version for drivers, information such as instant traffic reports and speed detection will be provided to reduce traffic accidents. These features will be launched during the second phase of service upgrade.

Wetaxi Technology Company, the developer of WETAXI HK, aims to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the platform in future. Mr. Michael Wai, the Founder of Wetaxi Technology Company, said, “AI technology will enable us to understand individual taxi drivers' driving behaviour and the areas where they prefer to go, so that we can enhance the app's features and help drivers match taxi-hailing orders according to their routines. The launch of the WETAXI HK app proves that innovations and aspirations are not bounded by company size or background. The key to success is having a clear goal and a thorough understanding of the market and industry needs.”

Giving back to the community

Mr. Sunny Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of OCL, is pleased to bring the convenience of the Octopus payment to taxi drivers and passengers through this co-operation. “We are committed to providing innovative Octopus payment solutions, benefitting our customers and merchants. The feature integration between Octopus App for Business and WETAXI HK facilitates easy Octopus payments to taxi drivers, and encourages the taxi trade to adopt electronic payments, further accelerating Hong Kong’s development into a smart society. We are also glad to launch the meaningful charity programme whilst promoting electronic payments," said Mr. Cheung.

From now till 8 October 2018, OCL will donate HK$5 to the two designated charities – the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF and the Hong Kong Red Cross – for any transaction costing HK$50 and above by a passenger using Octopus to pay for a taxi hailed via the WETAXI HK app.

Wetaxi Technology Company is an Incu-App incubatee of HKSTP. Mr. Peter Mok, Head of Incubation & Acceleration Programmes of HKSTP, is pleased to see the co-operation between OCL and WETAXI HK in launching the innovative taxi-hailing and electronic payment service. “HKSTP has always been supporting the development of technology start-ups, and we are pleased to witness the market launch of WETAXI HK with the support of OCL," he said. "In the past months, HKSTP had provided WETAXI HK with technical development support, business advice and cloud services to assist in its product development and enhancement. We look forward to the continual co-operation with WETAXI HK to introduce more features and further enhance the app’s user experience.”

Mr. Wai added, “We would like to thank HKSTP for their tremendous support for our innovation. We are also grateful to OCL for providing the e-payment infrastructure for passengers and taxi drivers. Our mission is to make use of technological innovations to serve the community and include charity in our daily lives. We hope to contribute to our society and help those in need through our charity programme.”

Wetaxi Technology Company is an incubatee of HKSTP’s Incubation Programme. The press release is issued by HKSTP on behalf of the company.