Hong Kong taxi trade cries foul over HK$2 rise in flag-fall rate after plea for HK$6 increase
- Executive Council decision ‘unfair to us’ Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association chairman Chau Kwok-keung says
- Chau adds industry will wait for government review of online ride-hailing services, before deciding on its next move
Hong Kong’s top decision-making body has approved an increase of HK$2 (26 US cents) in flag-fall rates for taxi trips – an average rise of 8.98 per cent but just one-third of the amount the trade wanted.
The higher rate will take effect on July 14 and push the minimum fare for red urban taxi trips up to HK$29. The starting rate for green New Territories cabs will rise to HK$25.50 and to HK$24 for Lantau Island blue ones.
The flag-fall increase will be 8.86 per cent for urban taxis, 9.56 per cent for those in the New Territories and 10.92 per cent for Lantau taxis.
Chau Kwok-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, said the fare rise amount had come as a blow after cabbies had asked for an increase of up to HK$6 in the flag-fall rate.
