In a landmark deal between Octopus Cards and the Hong Kong Council of Social Services, up to 30 charities could be giving you a 'doot'' as well as a thank you when you shell out to help the needy. The first flag-selling event using the Octopus card will be led by the Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service on December 17. A swipe of the card will charge the donor a fixed amount of HK$5.
'At a time when Hongkongers often carry an Octopus card instead of spare change, it is important that flag-selling moves into the digital age,' said Christine Fang Meng-sang, council chief executive.
Two volunteers will pair up, so people can have the option of donating by Octopus or putting money into the traditional collection bags. The system will also help the council compare the popularity of donating by Octopus versus cash.
The HK$5 fixed limit came from deliberations from experienced organisations that the amount is generally acceptable to the public.
Sunny Cheung Yiu-tong, chief executive of the Octopus group, said a fixed amount was preferable. 'This prevents volunteers or donors from keying in the wrong amount because we don't have a system of refunding the donor.'
Following a similar charity drive in 2009, when wheelchair-bound collectors accepted donations using Octopus card readers, the firm developed 110 portable card readers specifically for flag-selling. The machines are lighter than those used in 2009, and have a tilt sensor installed so it reads only cards tilted horizontally by the volunteer, preventing volunteers from accidently swiping Octopus cards belonging to unaware passers-by.