Li Xianshi (left) and Huang Qiang
The China Guangfa Bank Macau Branch, together with Macau Pass and E-Serve launched a rechargeable card which allows Macau’s double- plated vehicles to pay mainland tolls and Guangdong province parking fees.
Currently, users of double- plated Macau cars must pay mainland tolls and Guangdong parking fees in cash.
To pay tolls using the rechargeable card, users can now pass through Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on all mainland highways instead of having to pass through manual channels.
Huang Qiang, vice president of China Guangfa Bank (CGB) Macau Branch, said that the card offers a two percent discount to users in addition to being “environmentally friendly.”
Previously, Macau’s double- plated car owners had to settle payment in mainland China in advance to be able to use mainland highways.
“Now, with the card, they can process payments in Macau using three available currencies, including Macau patacas, Hong Kong dollars, and RMB. It brings convenience to customers, consists of one station service, and [the customers] can consume first and pay later,” said Huang, who then noted that the Macau Pass will also provide further customer services to all card users.
Li Xianshi, member of the board of Guangdong E-Serve, said “we launched the card to provide a more convenient service to Macau’s car owners,” adding that they, “by using the card, can enjoy a few local [Guangdong] services.”
Adding to Li’s statement, Huang revealed that currently, there are 15,000 double plated cars in Macau.
“It is a very big group of potential customers [of the card], as the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macau Bridge’s opening is approaching. We are optimistic for the future,” said Huang.
“In fact, ten years ago, Hong Kong launched a similar service, […] Macau is slightly late, but we are not afraid. This time, the collaboration has something new,” he added.
David Lao, Executive Deputy General Manager of Macau Pass, talked about Macau Pass’ other cooperation with CGB, citing e-payments in Macau’s shops.
“There are more than 1,000 shops [providing Macau Pass or CGB’s electronic payment], from transportation to retail, involving more than 10,000 users,” said Lao.
Lao remarked that the IC card users can enjoy several options through the Macau Pass’ Macau Pay service.
When discussing the possibility of Macau Pass working with Alibaba in further operations (as Alibaba recently signed an agreement with the MSAR government), Lao said that Macau Pass is currently not involved in the agreement.
