The Taxi Service Commendation Scheme 2023 will be open for public voting from April 1 to June 14, the Transport Department said today.

Members of the public are welcome to cast their votes online or by scanning the QR code printed on the scheme’s promotional materials for the “Quality Taxi Drivers” and “Good Driver, Good Service” awards.

The department said this year’s scheme received an enthusiastic response, with over 1,200 nominations received for the “Quality Taxi Drivers” and “Good Driver, Good Service” awards. Among them, 70 nominees for the “Quality Taxi Drivers” award and six nominees for the “Good Driver, Good Service” award were shortlisted for public voting.

At the same time, a professional assessment panel will evaluate the nominees' driving records, conduct, in-service training records, commended behaviour and passengers’ satisfaction levels.

Twenty nominees for the “Quality Taxi Drivers” award and two nominees for the “Good Driver, Good Service” award who obtain the highest combined scores from the public vote and professional assessment will win the accolade, while the driver with the highest score from the vote will be the “Most Popular Taxi Driver”.

Meanwhile, the assessment panel will evaluate taxi service management teams on taxi service quality, application of advanced technology in enhancing the efficiency and quality of the service, and social responsibility. The team with the highest score will be given the “Quality Taxi Service Management Team” award.

The prize presentation ceremony is expected to take place in the third quarter of this year.