Extension of electronic cash cards trial on parking meters

The trial of re-loadable electronic cash cards Mondex card and Visa Cash card in parking meters will continue for another six months from next Monday (September 25) to March 24, 2001 to allow more time to fully test the performance of such electronic cash cards in different weathers and outdoor environments.

A Transport Department spokesman said that the earlier six-month trial had gone smoothly with no major technical and operational defects found during the period and the performance of electronic cash cards were generally satisfactory.

"However, we need more information about the performance of the electronic cards in both the humid and cold weather conditions. For this reason, we have decided to put the scheme on trial for another six months," he added.

Originally scheduled for a trial between March 25 and September 24, the scheme involves about 700 parking meters in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Happy Valley which take Mondex and another 700 in Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei which take Visa Cash cards besides e-park cards they normally accept.

"The introduction of Mondex and Visa Cash cards aims at providing alternatives and thus bringing convenience to users."

Motorists may add value to their electronic cash cards at the Automated Teller Machines with Mondex and Visa Cash logos.

Besides for making parking payments, these electronic cash cards can also be used in places such as supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, fast food chains, gas stations as well as designated residential coaches and minibuses, ferries, etc.

At present, there are about 16,000 metered parking spaces in Hong Kong and they take e-park cards only before the trial scheme was launched.

End/Friday, September 22, 2000