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The pressures on the city’s fleet of 18,163 cabs are significant, but for residents and visitors alike, attention to improving the quality of service could help soften the blow from having to pay more for the ride.
The scheme that will see volunteers provide taxi passengers with an estimated fare before their journey is a small but meaningful step in deterring gouging.
Taxi drivers who give their colleagues and city a bad name face punishment under a demerit system that is sorely needed.
Much-criticised city cabbies only withdrew strike threat after government pledged to crack down on ride-hailing services preferred by many.
Subsidies, tax concessions and more charging points are crucial if Hong Kong wants to eliminate cars that run on fossil fuels.
The industry must rise to the challenge of new services and technologies and adapt or risk being further marginalised.
The city’s cabbies have to show that they are fit to drive and no danger to themselves, passengers and public
- Social media users urge others to actively flag taxi wrongdoings to police or inconvenience drivers such as by demanding exact change
- Anger erupted after footage circulated showing ‘passengers’ tricking Uber drivers into stopping near police patrols in bid to report illegal ride-hailing services
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung also says authorities focused on creating premium taxi fleet to help fix industry’s reputation.
Government says it will consider proposal during one-year observation period.
Footage and photos posted to Facebook and LIHKG show passengers filming journeys and encouraging drivers to stop near police patrols.
Man alleged by police to have fled empty-handed from shop raid and used taxi to flee scene before robbing driver.
Cabby’s death follows two other major accidents involving taxis this year.
Executive Council HK$2 fare increase decision ‘unfair to us’ Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association chairman Chau Kwok-keung says.
Readers discuss the limitations of the bill on mandatory reporting of child abuse, why Hong Kong shops offer relatively poor service, and America’s unfair targeting of Chinese businesses.
Industry is seeking to increase cab starting fees by HK$4.5 to HK$6 depending on taxi type, but sources say authorities waiting for sector’s feedback on counter-offer.
Police warn drivers they are ramping up enforcement over Labour Day ‘golden week’ holiday.
More inspections will be conducted in city’s tourist attractions, control points, restaurants and shops during mainland China holiday from May 1 to 5, authorities say.
Commissioner for Transport Angela Lee says authorities will strike a balance between the financial sustainability of trade and public’s acceptance of fare increases.
Bindo Labs subsidiary Wonder will try to kick-start adoption by giving taxi drivers the required equipment – worth HK$8,600 (US$1,098) – for the next six months.
Proposals submitted by taxi trade propose 17% fare increases in cabs serving urban areas, the New Territories and Lantau Island.
Under three-month trial run, volunteers will help passengers at taxi ranks in Lan Kwai Fong fill out information card detailing vehicle’s registration number, destination and estimated fare to help follow up on any complaints.
Motorcyclist, 56, thrown off vehicle after colliding with cab and later run over by private car.
Two pedestrians died and four were injured when Mok Pui-wa sped up ahead of red light as he tried to overtake cars, with his taxi slamming into safety island.
New system linking meter to e-payment modes will be tested under pilot phase, developers say.
Mok Pui-wa’s taxi slammed into busy crossing after he accelerated to overtake cars, with pregnant woman and 4-year-old boy among those hit.
Readers discuss the regulatory quagmire facing ride-railing operators in Hong Kong, and the need to review taxi driver performance.
Dr Wilson Ho, 59, is remembered by peers and patients as kind, caring and a pioneer in the field.
Renowned plastic surgeon Dr Wilson Ho was pronounced dead at hospital along with mainland Chinese passenger, and cabby arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death.
Police officer posing as customer hailed the taxi displaying an out-of-service sign, according to source familiar with the case.
Octopus says it will open up its payment networks for the first time in 26 years to UnionPay, Alipay and AlipayHK.
Base fare for red taxis will rise to HK$32 under the proposal, HK$28 and HK$26.5 for green and blue cabs, respectively.
Part-time cabby hits on a winning formula making videos describing life behind the wheel, warts and all.
From Beijing flexing its muscles in the South China Sea to a cold spell hitting Hong Kong, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.
Some say city’s image at stake amid complaints about horror rides, bad behaviour by rude cabbies and lack of e-payment solutions.
