Taxi drivers commended for quality service

    The Commissioner for Transport, Mr Alan Wong, today (July 18) commended award receivers under the Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme for their good conduct, saying they were role models for other taxi drivers and helped promote quality services and positive image of the trade.

    Nine taxi drivers awarded as "Quality Taxi Drivers" and about 1,000 merit taxi drivers who had reported lost property found in taxis were commended at today's launch ceremony of the Committee on the Promotion of Quality Services by the Taxi Trade and Prize Presentation Ceremony of the Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme.

    Chairman of the Quality Taxi Services Committee (QTSSC) Mr Jimmy Poon said this was the fifth year for the prize presentation ceremony.  As usual, a number of nominations to commend the good conduct of taxi drivers were received. Apart from their quality taxi service, the drivers were also praised for their initiative to return lost property to passengers.

    "This shows that these drivers not only provide hospitality service to passengers but also have the virtue of returning lost property to passengers. They deserve applause," Mr Poon said.

    Commissioner for Transport Mr Wong mentioned the forthcoming Beijing Olympic Games in which Hong Kong would co-host the Equestrian Events.

    "Lots of travellers from all over the world will be coming to Hong Kong for the events. There will be many opportunities for them to make use of taxi services during their stay in Hong Kong.  I believed that the trade is well-equipped and ready to provide quality taxi services to these travellers.

    "To help taxi drivers improve language and quality service skills, the Transport Department has produced more than 30,000 sets of 'Workplace Putonghua and English for Taxi Drivers' and a new version of 'A Guide to Taxi Services in Hong Kong' for distribution to taxi drivers."

    He pointed out that the Transport Advisory Committee had completed the Report on Review of Taxi Operation, and made some recommendations on the improvement of quality taxi services, including to encourage more taxi drivers to participate in training programme, to implement "Enhanced Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme" and to improve the existing taxi drivers' identity plate. The Transport Department and the QTSSC would soon discuss the detailed arrangements with the taxi trade.

    By joining together to provide the best transport services to the public, Mr Wong also encouraged the trade to continue its support and participation in the future events and activities on promoting quality taxi services to be organised by the QTSSC and Transport Department.

    He reminded taxi drivers to notify the Transport Department as soon as possible should there be any changes in their addresses.

    The "Quality Taxi Drivers" nominated by the public and tourists were chosen by an assessment panel under the QTSSC. The winners were awarded Quality Taxi Driver Certificates, trophies and identity plates as well as LPG coupons. The merit taxi drivers, were given Quality Taxi Driver Identity Plates and Certificates of Appreciation while the 44 taxi associations and/or radio stations were awarded Certificates of Appreciation.

Ends/Friday, July 18, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:02