HK's Coin Collection Program reaches milestone, HKMA unveils updated service schedule

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (May 14) announced a new service schedule for the two "Coin Carts" under the Coin Collection Programme for the period of June 3, 2024, up to August 18, 2024. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).

Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to April 30, 2024, the two Coin Carts have carried out 1,212,000 transactions, collecting 946 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,496 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.

The Coin Carts provide service at convenient locations to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations with suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred to reduce the need to use the Coin Carts' own standby generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has considered comments and suggestions given by district councils and public members and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.

The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of the public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances, each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to the availability of the parking space and the Cart's maintenance schedule. Service hours are from 10 am to 7 pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin-counting machines, and operational staff will be present to assist. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or add value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go, TNG Wallet, and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.

The HKMA will review the Programme occasionally and regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.