MTR Trying to Catch Fare Evaders

Only seniors can use this card on Hong Kong transport!

In Hong Kong there are people who try to evade paying full fare when going on the MTR.

By using a green Octopus card for seniors, they can ride for much cheaper.

Last year it was reported more than 4,200 people were abusing the system.

My aunt, who is in her early 70s, looks young for her age as she exercises a lot.

During our recent trip to Hong Kong, she used the green Octopus card to get around on the MTR, and one time when she was exiting the turnstile, a female MTR staffer came up to her and asked her if she knew she was using a senior's card.

"Yes, because I'm a senior," my aunt replied.

"Can I see your HKID?" asked the staff member.

My aunt had her Hong Kong passport on hand as she had just renewed it.

When the staffer looked at my aunt's birthdate, she was disappointed at being unable to catch a fare evader.

After my aunt told me this story, I told her it was a compliment!