ROLE OF TAXIS
Taxi is one of the key public passenger transport service providers in Hong Kong. At present there are 18,163 taxis in Hong Kong, of which 15,250 are urban taxis (red), 2,838 are New Territories taxis (green) and 75 are Lantau taxis (blue). The average daily taxi patronage is near 1 million.
Taxi provides a personalized point-to-point transport service for passengers. In accordance with the law, taxi can carry personal hand baggage, but no goods. Hence, passenger should not hire a taxi for carrying goods.
TAXI OPERATING AREAS
In Hong Kong, different taxis have designated operating areas. Urban taxis operate in most areas in Hong Kong (except Tung Chung Road and roads in south Lantau). New Territories taxis mainly operate in the north-eastern part (i.e. north of Sha Tin) and north-western part (i.e. north of Tsuen Wan) of the New Territories. Lantau taxis operate only on Lantau Island and Chek Lap Kok. All taxis are allowed to provide services at the passenger terminals of Hong Kong International Airport, the Hong Kong Section of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Hong Kong Disneyland.
TAXI FARE
The scale of fares for the hiring of taxis in Hong Kong is specified in the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations. Taxis are installed with a taximeter to calculate the fare based on the distance travelled together with any waiting time incurred while the taxi is hired. The fare on a taximeter is in Hong Kong dollars and cents. Passengers shall pay taxi fare as recorded by the taximeters in accordance with the law. Also, passengers are required to pay additional charges according to the circumstances.
IMPROVING TAXI SERVICES
The Transport Department plays an active role in encouraging taxi trade to improve the quality of taxi services. In 1999, the Transport Department formed the Quality Taxi Services Steering Committee (QTSSC), which has since taken forward a wide range of initiatives for improving taxi services, including launching the Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme to give commendation to those taxi drivers who have shown good conduct and quality performance; production of self-learning kits of the Taxi Operation Self-learning Video Programme and the Workplace English / Putonghua Programme for Taxi Drivers to enhance the service standard and language proficiency of taxi drivers; publication of "Hong Kong Taxi Service Guidelines"(English version and Traditional Chinese version only); and erection of information plates at major taxi stands to provide information about taxi services to taxi drivers and passengers.
To strengthen the interaction and cooperation with the taxi trade and other important stakeholders with a view to upgrading the taxi service level under existing regulatory regime, the Government restructured the QTSSC and renamed it as Committee on Taxi Service Quality ("CTSQ") with effect from 9 January 2018. The CTSQ consists of non-official members from various sectors, including the taxi trade, Legislative Council, District Councils, academia, the Consumer Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and persons with disabilities groups, etc. All of these non-official members possess vast experience and rich knowledge in their own professions / sectors. The CTSQ will serve as a multi-party platform to discuss strategies and measures to drive changes to enhance the taxi service quality.
BE A SMART TAXI PASSENGER
Please record the taxi registration number or information on the Taxi Driver Identity Plate (e.g. taxi driver identity plate number) if you have compliment or comment on taxi service. On the other hand, you can ask for a machine-printed fare receipt. It is an offence if taxi drivers refuse, without reasonable excuse, to issue receipts to passengers upon request. In case the receipt printing device fails to operate, the taxi driver should issue a hand-written receipt. Please note that passengers shall pay taxi fare as recorded by the taximeter in accordance with the law.
TAXI SERVICE COMMENDATION SCHEME
The public voting period of Taxi Service Commendation Scheme 2022 starts on 6 February 2023. Members of the public are welcome to cast their votes online for the awards "Quality Taxi Drivers" and "Good Driver, Good Service" through the website at www.ctsq.org.hk/voting or by scanning the QR code printed on the promotion pamphlets placed in taxi compartments. The voting period will end on 7 April 2023.
Twenty nominees of "Quality Taxi Drivers" awards and two nominees of "Good Driver, Good Service" awards obtaining the highest combined scores from the public voting and a professional assessment panel will be given the awards, while the driver obtaining the highest score from the public voting will be given the "Most Popular Taxi Driver" award. Also, the taxi service management team obtaining the highest score from the professional assessment panel will be given the "Quality Taxi Service Management Team" award. It is expected that the award presentation ceremony will be held in mid-2023.
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