The Transport Department today said that the Government is determined to enhance the service quality of personalised point-to-point transport.

It made the statement in response to press enquiries on the taxi service and complaint figures.

The department met the taxi trade today to exchange views on enhancing taxi service quality and promoting the healthy development of the industry, and reiterated that the Government will continue to combat the illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward activities to safeguard the safety and interests of the public.

To improve the taxi service, the Government has implemented the Taxi-Driver-Offence Points system and the two-tier penalty system as well as introduced a taxi fleet regime to provide quality services to passengers by the use of systematic management and technology.

The five selected taxi fleet operators are working intensively to prepare for the service commencement which is anticipated to be in place by end-July 2025.

On the other hand, the Government proposes to mandate the installation of in-vehicle cameras, dash cameras and global navigation satellite systems in all taxi compartments to better protect the rights of passengers. It also proposes to mandate all taxi drivers to provide e-payment means. Follow-up work on the legislative exercise of the relevant proposed provisions is underway.

On the regulation of online hailed car platforms, while the Government is open-minded in respect of the use of different communications technologies, including the use of online or mobile applications for obtaining personalised point-to-point transport services through online hailing services, it is imperative to ensure that the passenger transport services supported by the use of platforms concerned comply with the laws and regulations.

The department is conducting a study on the overall demand and supply of personalised point-to-point transport services.

The Government will, after considering the report of the Working Group for Enhancing Personalised Point-to-Point Transport Services under the Transport Advisory Committee and the views and relevant data collected, formulate legislative proposals on the regulation of online car hailing platforms, vehicles that may provide services complying with the regulations and relevant licensing requirements for the drivers within 2025.

To combat illegal hire car services in accordance with the law, Police have been taking enforcement actions against illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward through gathering intelligence via different channels.

If there is sufficient evidence proving suspected vehicles without a valid hire car permit being used for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, Police will immediately take appropriate enforcement actions.

People who intend to use a hire car service may enquire with the service operator or make use of the department's online checking system to ensure the private car concerned has been issued with a valid hire car permit before the journey starts.

The department stressed that using illegal hire car services can put passengers at risk, as the vehicle's third party insurance may be invalid in case of a traffic accident.