Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme recognises quality taxi drivers (with photo)

The prize presentation ceremony for the Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme 2014 jointly organised by the Quality Taxi Services Steering Committee (QTSSC) and the Transport Department (TD) was held today (January 30) to present Quality Taxi Driver awards to seven drivers in recognition of their quality taxi services provided to passengers.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony, the Chairman of the QTSSC and member of the Transport Advisory Committee, Mr Peter Yan, said that there were many other good drivers providing quality taxi service with dedication to their work every day. He encouraged passengers to nominate more good drivers for commendation to let the public know more about their quality service and meaningful stories of good deeds.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, noted that the QTSSC and the taxi trade had formulated a set of Hong Kong Taxi Service Standards, aiming at enhancing taxi service in Hong Kong through good taxi service standards. She encouraged taxi drivers to follow the standards to provide better service to passengers.

The set of standards comprises eight elements, namely keeping taxi drivers healthy and tidy, keeping their taxis clean and comfortable, being polite and courteous when serving passengers, charging taxi fares according to the taximeter, using the most direct routes or routes specified by passengers, providing appropriate assistance to passengers if necessary, driving in a stable and safe manner, and providing service in accordance with taxi service regulations.

Seven drivers were given Quality Taxi Driver awards this year. The reasons for their nomination included returning lost property to passengers in person, good driving attitude, strong proficiency in a foreign language, helping passengers proactively, being sincere and polite to passengers, not selecting passengers during a shift change, and active participation in providing free taxi service for fund-raising in a charity event. Meanwhile, the Certificate of Appreciation for Quality Taxi Service was presented to two other drivers to recognise their good taxi service.

The Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme receives nomination all year round. Nominations will be assessed by the QTSSC based on the driving records, conduct, on-the-job training records, good behaviour being commended and passengers' satisfaction on taxi service provided by the driver concerned.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from the websites of the QTSSC (www.qtssc.org.hk) or the TD (www.td.gov.hk), or obtained by calling the TD's hotline (Tel: 2804 2600).

Ends/Friday, January 30, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:28

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