Hu Tong Xing, a smart card incorporating Shenzhen Tong (TransCard) and the Hong Kong Octopus card, was officially launched in Shenzhen yesterday to benefit border-crossing travelers between the mainland and Hong Kong.

This contactless IC card contains two accounts for travelers. The public transport fares paid in 327 mainland cities, including Shenzhen, can be settled through the Shenzhen Tong account, which is compatible with China T-Union system. Transactions in Hong Kong can be settled by the Octopus Hong Kong dollar account.

The card can be purchased via Shenzhen Tong app and at Shenzhen Tong customer service outlets, checkpoints, and 53 postal service outlets across the city, Xu Hualin, president of Shenzhen Tong Co. Ltd., said at the launch ceremony in Futian Metro Station yesterday.

A staffer shows a Hu Tong Xing smart transport card at a press conference in Shenzhen yesterday. The card, officially launched at the ceremony, incorporates Shenzhen Tong (TransCard) and the Hong Kong Octopus card, and can be used in Hong Kong and 327 mainland cities, including Shenzhen. Xinhua

Xu said Hu Tong Xing will provide integrated and seamless public transport services for cross-border travelers.

To get started with the system, users need to top up the Shenzhen Tong and Octopus accounts.

To top up the Shenzhen Tong account, users can pay via the Shenzhen Tong app and at Shenzhen Tong customer service outlets and terminals, and service centers at Shenzhen Metro stations.

To top up the Octopus account, users can pay at Shenzhen Metro stations along lines 1, 2 and 5, as well as at Line 4’s Futian Checkpoint Station, and Octopus service outlets and convenience stores in Hong Kong.

Shenzhen Tong will also try to realize the use of an all-in-one payment card in Macao before the end of the year, Xu said.

Since the full resumption of border crossing earlier this year, Shenzhen has witnessed an increasing number of Hong Kong visitors. In July, 4.68 million Hong Kong travelers entered the mainland via Shenzhen checkpoints, according to a Shenzhen TV report last week. In the same month, about 3 million mainland travelers entered Hong Kong, according to a Hong Kong Commercial Daily report earlier this month.