Eight temporary JoyYou Card application service centres will begin operation starting June 24 to assist Hong Kong residents aged 60 or above in applying for JoyYou Cards, the Government announced today.

It explained that starting August 25, all Hong Kong residents aged 60 or above must use a JoyYou Card to enjoy the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly & Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme).

Existing Anonymous Elder Octopus and ordinary personalised Octopus will cease to be applicable for the $2 Scheme from that day.

To assist people in need of submitting applications or supplementary information for JoyYou Cards, so that they can continue to enjoy the $2 Scheme, eight temporary JoyYou Card application service centres will run from June 24 until August 31.

The service centres, located on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and the New Territories, will be open Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 8pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. They will be closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Eligible beneficiaries who have not yet applied for a JoyYou Card can also submit their applications by post or via the Octopus App.

Videos illustrating steps for making an application and distribution points for paper application forms are available online.

A JoyYou Card carries a personal photo and the name of the eligible beneficiary as proof of eligibility for enjoying the $2 Scheme. Each eligible person will be issued one card only.

The Government began accepting JoyYou Card applications from Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above in batches since June 1, 2022. Some 1.3 million applications, equivalent to around 92% of estimated eligible applicants, have been received to date.

As for eligible people with disabilities aged below 60, they can continue to enjoy the $2 Scheme using the personalised Octopus encoded with "Persons with Disabilities Status" and need not apply for a JoyYou Card.