Something new: Hail Uber

Taxis in Hong Kong are plentiful and cheap (although not always cheerful). So when private car hire app Uber arrived here a few months ago it only launched its premium UberBlack service, which provided luxury rides - Mercedes-Benz S-Class, etc - at a cost of HK$13.98/km (with a base fare of HK$75).

Cruising around Lantau in a Merc when you can't hail an elusive blue taxi is fun. But is it really necessary?

Perhaps sensing the excess, the American firm - estimated to be worth US$18.2 billion and operating in 44 countries - has rolled out a service that offers a modern way to catch your old faithful red, green or blue cabs. And, at HK$8/km and with a HK$22 base fare, UberTaxi is considerably easier on the wallet than UberBlack.

Here's how it works. Download the free app, scan your credit card, then wait for the GPS to load your location on the map. Within seconds, you'll see taxi icons buzzing around.

Tap the one you'd like to hail, and it'll be sent to your specified pick-up point. You can even watch it progress towards you on the map. There are no booking fees: the price you see on the meter will be deducted from your credit card, although you'll cop a HK$10 charge if you cancel more than five minutes after booking.

UberTaxi boldly promises to improve the local taxi experience: a rate-my-ride function gives users the chance to flag any wayward drivers or smelly cars, and the app promises it'll take action on such complaints.