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The Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) reiterated today (August 21) that the Government is open-minded in respect of the application of new technologies in the area of transport, including the use of mobile applications for calling vehicles for hire or reward. However, all services operated on different technologies or platforms must be lawful and have regard to the interest and safety of passengers.
In response to media enquiries on taxi and hire car services, a spokesman for the bureau said Hong Kong has a well-developed multi-modal public transport system. Every day, public transport accounts for about 90 per cent of passenger trips. Amongst the different public transport services, taxis provide a safe and reliable personalised and point-to-point service.
He said, "Hong Kong is densely populated. Space is limited and traffic busy. We therefore have to continue to make good use of and further develop our public transport services to reduce the reliance on private cars so as to avoid our roads becoming too congested.
"There has recently been heated discussion in the community on taxi service-related issues. We note that a range of views are targeted at the standard of taxi service. The taxi trade has responded publicly, acknowledging that there is room for improvement in its service."
There are over 18 000 taxis in Hong Kong, with about 9 000 taxi licence holders and about 40 000 drivers. Service standards and quality vary as a result.
"The Government shares the view that taxi service should be improved. Indeed, one of the topics to be covered under the Public Transport Strategy Study (PTSS) that has just commenced is taxi service. The Transport Department (TD) will look into the pertinent issues in conjunction with the trade and other stakeholders to see how to respond to the demands of members of the public."
Apart from improving taxi service, the TD will explore in detail the feasibility in promoting hire-as-a-whole taxi service under the existing regulatory regime. Within current legal framework, taxis can in fact be hired as a whole with prior booking, in addition to charging according to the meter. The fare rate for pre-booked hire-as-a-whole service will be agreed between the parties providing and receiving the service and is not regulated by law. This type of service should provide the flexibility to meet the different needs of passengers.
In considering further promoting hire-as-a-whole taxi service, the TD will fully consult the trade and understand the practical needs of the public. The department will focus on the quality of vehicles, the attitude and conduct of the drivers, the convenience of the pre-booking arrangements, as well as the use of information technology. The objective is to provide users with convenient and quality service.
"When studying the role and positioning of taxi service under the PTSS, we will consider its long-term supply and demand situation as well as service standard. A key area of study is whether it is feasible and desirable to introduce premium taxi service," the spokesman said.
The spokesman pointed out that the introduction of premium taxi service can serve various policy objectives. One is to set new service standard for the taxi trade to enhance quality of service and respond to the demand for service variety. The other is if the study findings would show that taxi is in short supply, the Government will consider issuing new taxi licences. In connection with the issue of new licences, the Government will also study whether to introduce a new operating and management model to enhance the monitoring and quality of taxi service.
"In the course of the study, we will carefully assess the impact of any proposals regarding the role and positioning of taxi service on its supply and demand, other trades in public transport as well as public transport services users," he added.
Separately, within the existing legal framework, if car owners are interested in using their private cars for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward, they can make applications for hire car permits to the Commissioner for Transport. All hire cars should have a policy of insurance or such a security in respect of third party risks in compliance with the requirements of the law for use on road.
The spokesman stressed that carrying passengers for hire or reward without hire car permits is an offence, adding that the relevant legislation has been in place for years to protect passengers and other road users. It has nothing to do with the platforms or mobile applications used to call the hire car service.
There are views that the processing of hire car permit applications is overly stringent. The spokesman said that the TD, in considering any such application, must take into account the impact on traffic management and the actual demand in the market for hire car service. Consideration must also be given to the overall supply and demand for public transport services, the division of labour as well as the roles and positioning among different services. To this end, the Government will review the assessment criteria for hire car permits in tandem with the PTSS to make sure that the regime is in keeping with the times.
The spokesman said, "Although the entire PTSS is expected to take about two years to complete, we will accord priority to studying taxi and hire car services, issues now of rising public concern. We will duly consult the public and different stakeholders when we have developed concrete proposals."
Ends/Friday, August 21, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:37
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