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The Octopus card is a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card used for electronic payment in online or offline systems in Hong Kong. Originally launched in September 1997 as a fare collection system for the city's mass transit system, the Octopus card system has grown into a widely used electronic cash system used not only for virtually all public transport in Hong Kong, but also for making payment at convenience stores, supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, on-street parking meters, car parks and many other point-of-sale applications (e. g. service stations and vending machines). In addition the system is used for access control to offices, schools and apartments. It can even be used to donate money to charities. Travel Insurance: Travel Guard - Trip, Medical/Health & Accident Coverage. [1] Using a card involves simply holding the card in close proximity above, or on, an Octopus reader, and cards can be recharged with cash at add-value machines or over the counter in shops (notably 7-Eleven and Circle K), or directly through credit cards and bank accounts.

Octopus has become one of the world's most successful electronic cash systems, with over 13 million Octopus cards in circulation (nearly twice Hong Kong's population) and over nine million transactions per day, with nearly 300 service vendors (as of January 2006). The operator of the Octopus system, Octopus Cards Limited, a joint venture between MTR Corporation and other transport companies in Hong Kong such as KCR, KMB, and Citybus. Octopus's international arm, Octopus Knowledge Limited has won a contract to extend Octopus-style systems to the Netherlands.

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The Chinese name for the Octopus card literally means "eight-place pass". Eight is a significant number in Chinese in that it is often used to indicate "many".