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Hong Kong taxis

Hong Kong taxis
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hong Kong taxis. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
In Hong Kong, it is currently illegal for drivers of private vehicles to accept paid customers without a hire-car permit. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s new ride-hailing regime to be open to all players

But transport minister Mable Chan says ride-hailing providers will need to meet criteria focused on safety and quality.

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Hong Kong youth

Letters | How to save our children from smartphones and social media

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong lawmakers push for deeper cuts to Tai Lam Tunnel tolls

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s first premium taxi fleet set to launch in March

Tai Wo Management confirms its roll-out plan while pointing to ‘numerous challenges’ it has overcome in five months since winning licence, along with four others.

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A passenger gets into a cab at a taxi stand along Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The government issued five taxi fleet licences five months ago in an effort to improve the industry’s service quality. Photo: Jelly Tse
Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong taxi driver arrested after 3 die in horror road crash

Taxi cut across lane and hit car on West Kowloon Highway early on New Year’s Day, police say.

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Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong’s premium taxi fleets could be in line for quality service logo

Chief of Quality Tourism Services Association says another aim for 2025 is to promote ‘Halal-friendly’ accreditation among local restaurants.

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Hong Kong transport

HSBC’s PayMe now accepted by 27,000 Hong Kong taxi drivers

New channel launched after ‘significant uptick’ in electronic payment adoption by both riders and drivers, Octopus says.

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Hong Kong is home to 18,163 taxis, of which 15,250 are red urban taxis. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong customers in driving seat with ride-hailing

Singapore company Tada will provide more competition in Hong Kong for Uber and a taxi industry that is facing a major shake-up.

Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong taxi driver, 72, injured after cab flips onto side

Taxi veered onto pavement and struck fence before tipping onto its left side.

Hong Kong transport

Tada working to provide insurance for Hong Kong drivers, passengers

‘The safety and welfare [of our riders and drivers] is our top priority,’ Tada regional general manager Jonathan Chua says.

Tada is looking to achieve a market share of at least 20 per cent in Hong Kong. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong taxi drivers to face ban for failing to turn on surveillance cameras

Authorities earlier proposed installing internal surveillance cameras and dashcams in cabs to help boost taxi industry’s service quality.

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The government is hoping to bolster the quality of taxi services through a series of new measures. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong transport

Editorial | Taxi trip into new Hong Kong era to begin at long last

City’s much criticised cab industry told to install electronic payment and navigation systems, plus dashboard and surveillance cameras.

Hong Kong transport

Singapore’s Tada launches in Hong Kong, driving fresh competition with Uber

Ride-hailing operator arrives ahead of government plan to regulate services next year.

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Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong lawmakers, trade leaders back camera systems in taxis but with caveats

Rules needed to control who can access footage and for what reasons, they say, while noting public is already used to widespread monitoring.

The Transport Department aims to ensure in-car surveillance cameras, dashcam recorders and GPS tracking are installed in all taxis by the end of 2026. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong to require taxis to install GPS, e-payment and camera systems

Transport and Logistics Bureau says it aims for all cabs to have e-payment options by end of 2025, and surveillance systems a year later.

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Transport authorities hope the upgrades can boost the industry’s service quality. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong economy

Hongkongers’ travel needs key in developing ride-hailing regulations: minister

New transport chief Mable Chan also says the city’s taxi licensing system has hampered innovation efforts.

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Hong Kong transport

Reduced tolls at Hong Kong’s Tai Lam Tunnel could be rolled out in 2025

Authorities leaning towards implementing time-based tolls at the tunnel, government source says.

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Hong Kong transport

4 Hong Kong cabbies given 10 demerit points for overcharging, refusing hires

City leader says penalties create deterrent effect against misconduct as authorities continue to combat shady practices in industry.

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Rows of taxis outside Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok. Photo: Eugene Lee
John Lee policy address 2024

Hong Kong cabbies not obliged to learn Arabic, minister says after policy address

Algernon Yau says authorities only suggested taxi drivers provide service information in Arabic in hopes of attracting Middle East tourists.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest man for allegedly assaulting taxi driver, stealing cab

Police say suspect, 39, detained for seven offences, including possession of dangerous drugs, theft and assault.

Hong Kong society

Letters | Hong Kong’s taxi drivers don’t need pity, but government action

Readers discuss the city’s taxi industry, and the safety of cyclists.

Taxis queuing up for passengers in Kowloon Tong on September 21. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong transport

Editorial | Hong Kong taxi driver penalties get off to early start

Within days of new law, city cabby has received maximum demerit points for malpractices.

Passengers will be pleased to learn that the Hong Kong government appears determined to crack down on taxi-industry malpractices. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong cabby gets 200 hours of community service for molesting tourist

Defendant pleaded guilty to touching tourist’s thighs after she boarded his taxi on May 30.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong taxi driver gets maximum demerit points for overcharging under new system

Transport authority hands out punishment within first week of implementing penalty system to keep cabbies on their best behaviour.

Hong Kong transport

Call to speed up CCTV installation in Hong Kong taxis after penalty system launch

Industry leader Ng Kwan-sing makes the call after demerit point system aimed at ensuring taxi drivers acted professionally took effect on Sunday.

A demerit point system aimed at ensuring the city’s taxi drivers act professionally has taken effect. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong puts taxi drivers on notice, but will frustrated cabbies simply quit?

City will adopt demerit point system on Sunday, but industry leaders warn ‘unfairly targeted’ drivers may choose to join illegal ride-hailing trade.

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The Transport Department received 1,006 serious complaints over taxi drivers last year, almost double the 574 in 2022. Photo: Edmond So
Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong taxi driver, passenger escape serious injury after hitting barriers

Vehicle drifts between lanes on Lung Cheung Road in Wong Tai Sin, coming to stop after colliding with lamp post that snaps and falls.

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Premium taxis can drive better services throughout industry

New fleets, with higher fares, offer the chance for better passenger experience that hopefully will spur regular cabs and ride-hailing firms – when they are regulated – to follow suit.

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