The Transport Department will study the feasibility of promoting hire-as-a-whole taxi services under the existing regulatory regime.
In response to media enquiries, the Transport & Housing Bureau said today, within current legal framework, taxis can be hired as a whole with prior booking, in addition to charging according to the meter. The fare rate for pre-booked hire-as-a-whole service will be agreed between the parties providing and receiving the service and is not regulated by law. This type of service should provide the flexibility to meet the different needs of passengers.
The department will study the vehicles' quality, drivers' attitude and conduct, the convenience of pre-booking arrangements, as well as the use of information technology.
It acknowledged taxis service standards and quality vary as there are over 18,000 taxis in Hong Kong, with 9,000 taxi licence holders and 40,000 drivers. It said the Government shares the view taxi services should be improved, and the topic will be covered in the Public Transport Strategy Study.
The department will look into the pertinent issues in conjunction with the trade and other stakeholders to see how to respond to the demands of members of the public, it said, adding the Government will consider issuing new taxi licences if the study findings show taxis are in short supply.
Meanwhile, the Government will also review the assessment criteria for hire car permits.
