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

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

Accidents and personal safety

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

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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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Tada will allow customers to pay by cash or credit card in its beta launch covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the airport. Photo: Tada
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.

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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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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An Uber taxi in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Sam Tsang
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.

Tai Lam Tunnel is a core part of Route 3 and connects Tsing Long Highway with the Ting Kau Bridge. Photo: Elson Li
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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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.

The incident happened while the taxi was travelling along Tolo Highway in Tai Po, police said. Photo: Handout
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.

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.

Authorities launched the Taxi Driver-Offence Points System on September 22. Photo: Edmond So
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.

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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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.

Dashcam footage captured the taxi when it lost control on a busy main road. Photo: Facebook/Bosco Chu
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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Taxicabs queue up for passengers at the Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok. Hong Kong authorities have approved five premium taxi fleet licences as the service set to commence by July 2025. Photo: SCMP / Eugene Lee
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong must not mix up ‘check-in’ and ‘in-depth’ tourism

Readers discuss the limits of social media-driven ‘check-in tourism’, the real reason some Hong Kong businesses don’t take digital payments, and breaking up the DSE exam into two.

Hong Kong society

Opinion | Hong Kong’s new taxi licensing scheme is old wine in new bottles

The licensing overhaul sounds worthy of praise, but won’t win over the public if it’s just for vested interests and holding back Uber.

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Hong Kong transport

Letters | Don’t let ride-hailing services undo Hong Kong’s public transport policy

Readers discuss ride-hailing services’ distortive effect, the city’s nightlife campaign, and the safety of tea bags.

A taxi driver waits for passengers in Tsim Sha Tsui on July 8. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong transport

Explainer | Hong Kong’s new taxi fleets tell how their services line up on the starting grid

SynCab will hit the roads in September; other four successful bidders for premium taxi services will have to be operating by next July.

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Three of the successful operators have experience in the taxi trade. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong approves 5 taxi fleet licences as service set to start by July 2025

Fleet operators must offer online booking channels, provide e-payment options and install CCTV systems in their cabs.

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Hong Kong transport

Letters | Why mainland China’s ride-hailing economy is a cautionary tale for Hong Kong

Readers discuss the problems posed by ride-hailing platforms, and ways for the West Kowloon Cultural District to generate revenue.

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