Drive to promote quality taxi services kicks off

The Ad hoc Quality Taxi Services Steering Committee (QTSSC) will organise a forum on January 10 to provide a platform for relevant local and overseas parties to share experience with a view to further enhance taxi service quality in Hong Kong.

A flag flying ceremony which served as a prelude to the Quality Taxi Services Forum was held today (January 6) to reinforce and further enhance taxi drivers' awareness in delivering quality services to passengers.

The ceremony was officiated by the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman; Chairman of QTSSC, Mr Jeffrey Lam; and General Manager, Sales Division of Crown Motors Limited, Mr Godfrey Tsang, and was joined by about 100 taxis.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lam said: "A flying flag on a taxi body signifies continuous momentum for excellency, and conveys a clear message to taxi passengers on the taxi trade's determination to improve service quality."

Some 5,000 flags have been prepared and will be distributed to taxi drivers through various taxi associations for hanging on their taxis during the period between January 6 and 10.

Turning to the forum, Mr Lam said it would be the first project organised by QTSSC in 2001, with strong support from the Transport Department and taxi associations.

He said: "The purpose of the coming forum is to examine possible ways to improve the quality of taxi services in Hong Kong, and to allow members of the taxi trade to exchange ideas and share experience of other neighbouring cities in promoting taxi services."

The forum will be attended by representatives from vehicle manufacturer, taxi operators and taxi service regulatory authorities in neighbouring cities, including Japan, Singapore, Macau, Shanghai and Shenzhen, as well as representatives from the Transport Department, the local taxi trades, the Hong Kong Tourist Association, the Police and local academics.

QTSSC, the organiser of the forum, was formed in May 1999 to advise the Transport Department on the implementation of various projects to improve taxi service quality. It comprises representatives from the taxi trade, Transport Bureau, Transport Department, District Councils, the Hong Kong Tourist Association and the Consumer Council.

In 2000, QTSSC organised two quality taxi driver award schemes, introduced quarterly newsletters on taxi services and launched a Workplace English and Putonghua Programme for Taxi Drivers. The Quality Taxi Services Forum to be held on January 10 is sponsored by the Crown Motors Limited and Dao Heng Finance Limited.

End/Saturday, January 6, 2001