Which transportation payment innovation was first introduced by Hong Kong's MTR in 1997 before being widely adopted globally?

Modern transportation has been transformed by innovative payment systems that streamline the passenger experience. From contactless fare collection on buses and trains to mobile payment apps for ridesharing services, the way we pay for transportation continues to evolve. This trivia question explores a significant innovation in transit payment technology that has changed how millions of commuters interact with transportation systems worldwide.

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Octopus card - the first widely successful contactless smart card payment system for public transit
Mobile QR code ticketing - the first smartphone-based transit payment solution
Open payment systems - allowing direct credit card tapping for transit fares
Account-based ticketing - linking transit payments to cloud-based user accounts