The government announced on Thursday that from August 25 next year, all elderly Hong Kong residents will need to use a JoyYou Card to enjoy its HK$2 transport fare scheme.

Authorities said in a statement that people aged 60 or above who hold anonymous elder Octopus cards, or ordinary personalised Octopus cards, will no longer be able to enjoy the concessionary fare when they take public transport next August.

Those who're eligible have been reminded to apply for a JoyYou Card as soon as possible.

"A JoyYou Card carries a personal photo and the name of the eligible beneficiary as proof of eligibility for enjoying the $2 concessionary fare. Each eligible person will be issued with one card only," the statement read.

People with disabilities who are aged below 60, meanwhile, need not apply for a new card and can continue to enjoy the HK$2 fare using designated, personalised Octopus cards.