The number of traffic accidents involving taxis last year rose 26 per cent to 4,585 compared to the previous year, according to Transport Department figures presented to legislators on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the number of official complaints stood at 1,006 in 2023, up three quarters from 574 in 2022. However, the department said that the number of complaints in 2022 may have been affected by lower public transport patronage during Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. All anti-epidemic measures were lifted last March.
The figures were presented by Acting Secretary for Transport and Logistics Liu Chun-san, who was responding to a legislative question from lawmaker Jonny Ng.
The four kinds of complaints compiled by the department include overcharging, refusing a hire, refusing to drive to a destination, or driving to a destination via a convoluted route. The police took enforcement actions 140 times last year, more than in 2023, when 95 drivers faced police action.
Lawmaker Ng had asked whether there would be a public consultation on the regulation of ride-hailing apps. Since Uber arrived in the city about a decade ago, ride-hailing services have become a strong competitor to traditional taxis. But they are illegal in Hong Kong unless a vehicle has a hire car permit, with taxi associations resisting more industry competition.
However, Liu said the government was still studying how to regulate rail-hailing platforms and police would continue to investigate cases of illegal carriage in the meantime.
“The Government is reviewing how to enhance the existing legislation in order to combat illegal activities more effectively on the one hand, and exploring how to regulate online hailing platforms on the other hand, thereby only allowing taxis and hire cars with permits to provide services through the platforms,” he said.
Last month, Chief Executive John Lee condemned some taxi drivers, who had carried out undercover vigilante operations targeting Uber drivers.
Taxi fleets
In a bid to improve service, Hong Kong is also rolling out a taxi fleet regime whereby fleet licensees will be required to provide online booking channels, such as apps with trip booking, driver rating, and complaint services.
Each cab in the fleet will also need to provide at least two e-payment methods.
Lui told lawmaker Edward Leung on Wednesday that the Transport Department had received 15 applications for fleet licences by last Friday’s deadline.
The flagfall fare will rise by HK$2 to HK$29 for urban taxis on July 14, HK$25.5 for New Territories cabs and HK$24 for Lantau taxis.
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