Following is a question by the Hon Chris Ip and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (October 14):

Question:

     Some residents in the New Territories have complained that it is difficult to hire New Territories taxis (commonly known as "green taxis") to travel to destinations in the New Territories during peak hours, and that when they attempt to take urban taxis (commonly known as "red taxis") plying for hire at taxi stands, they have repeatedly been subjected to refusal of hire. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the number of complaints received by the authorities and the number of drivers with points incurred since the implementation of the Taxi-Driver-Offence Points system, with a breakdown by the nature of the offences; the number of drivers who have been disqualified from driving a taxi due to accumulated points;
 
(2) as there are views pointing out that drivers of red taxis plying for hire at public transport interchanges provided with both New Territories and urban taxi stands generally expect to pick up passengers travelling to urban areas, whether the authorities will, by drawing on the operational model of cross-harbour taxi stands, set up dedicated taxi stands at some interchanges for passengers bound for urban areas; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(3) as there are views that point-to-point transport demand in the New Territories will continue to increase in the future, whether the Government will, apart from adjusting the number of ride-hailing vehicle licences, review the number of taxi licences in a timely manner or enhance the existing service arrangements for urban and New Territories taxis; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:

President,

     The Government has all along endeavoured to enhance taxi service quality and improve the trade's image. Over the past few years, the Government has implemented a series of measures, including introducing taxi fleets, enhancing the taxi written test, implementing the Taxi-Driver-Offence Points (TDOP) system and the two-tier penalty system, as well as requiring all taxi drivers to accept electronic payments. In addition, Journey Recording Systems, comprising the functions of a dash camera, an in-vehicle recording system and a global navigation satellite system, will be gradually installed in taxi compartments starting from this year, with a view to enhancing passenger experience and deterring malpractices of taxi drivers.

     My reply to the Hon Ip's question is as follows –
 
(1) The TDOP system has officially come into effect on September 22, 2024, covering 11 relatively serious taxi-driver-related offences under the legislation. A taxi driver who is convicted of any of these offences or is liable to pay a fixed penalty will incur the corresponding points. In accordance with the law, a taxi driver must not, without reasonable excuse, willfully refuse or neglect to accept a hire, nor refuse or neglect to drive the taxi to any place indicated by the hirer (refusing hire). The Police has all along been handling cases involving refusing hire seriously, and will seek advice from the Department of Justice and initiate prosecution if there is sufficient evidence. Any person who commits refusing hire will incur with the maximum of 10 points under the TDOP system.
 
     As of October 2, 2026, a total of 229 taxi drivers had incurred points, of which 125 cases were for refusing hire. Out of all the 229 drivers with points incurred, three drivers have been disqualified from driving a taxi (for a period of three months) owing to an incurrence of 15 points or more. Breakdown is set out at Annex I.
 
     In addition, from the implementation of the TDOP system to August 2026, the Transport Department (TD) had received a total of 5 944 taxi-driver-related complaints, of which 605 cases involved refusing hire. Breakdown is set out at Annex II. Upon receipt of complaints, TD will conduct investigations and refer them to the law enforcement agency for follow-up depending on the nature of the cases. TD will also issue letters to the taxi owners or drivers concerned to request explanations, reminding them to comply with the legislation and pay attention to their service attitude, with a view to keeping up service quality.
 
(2) In accordance with the law, New Territories (NT) taxis have designated operating areas, which mainly cover the north-eastern NT (i.e. north of Sha Tin) and the north-western NT (i.e. north of Tsuen Wan), and their fares are lower than those of urban taxis. On the other hand, urban taxis can pick up passengers and take them anywhere (except Tung Chung Road and roads in South Lantau).

     TD has set up urban and NT taxi stands at locations with concentrated passenger demand, such as the Hong Kong International Airport and various land boundary control points, with a view to facilitating the diversion of passengers heading for different areas. At present, the operation is generally smooth. However, I must emphasise that a taxi driver must not refuse a hire without reasonable excuse according to the law. In other words, drivers at urban taxi stands are also required to proceed to any destination indicated by the hirers, including the NT. Setting up designated taxi stands for specific destinations may not cater for the diverse point-to-point transportation demand of passengers and may cause confusion (especially for tourists). Therefore, we consider that maintaining the current simple and clear arrangement is more appropriate and preferable.
 
(3) The Government has been upholding the public transport-oriented policy with railway as the backbone, complemented by well-networked mass transport modes (such as franchised buses and the Light Rail) to provide efficient services for the public. On the other hand, public light buses and taxis play a supplementary role, with the latter providing personalised point-to-point services, currently accounting for about 6 per cent of the overall public transport patronage.

     At present, there are 18 163 registered taxis in Hong Kong (with NT taxis accounting for 2 838). With the regional development of the NT, there is a steady demand for taxi services in many parts of the region. It is therefore necessary to maintain the arrangement of NT taxis to ensure adequate services available to passengers travelling between districts within the NT as well as residents in rural and remote areas of the NT. In the future, we will continue to optimise the operational arrangements for NT taxis. Firstly, in response to changes in demand, new development areas (including the Northern Metropolis), and the commencement of major infrastructure facilities, we will conduct timely reviews on the permitted operating areas of NT taxis. For example, operating areas of NT taxis have been expanded to cover the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and the Hong Kong Port Area of the recently commissioned Huanggang Port. Last year, as part of the efforts to optimise airport operations, the Government also permitted NT taxis to operate on the newly designated pre-booked pick-up area and associated roads.

     Furthermore, to better understand passengers' demand for taxi services and the operating status of the taxi trade, TD conducts annual surveys on the overall taxi service level. According to the survey conducted in early 2026, the overall supply of taxis has remained largely stable in recent years. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and maintain communication with the taxi trade, so to ensure the stable and orderly provision of taxi services and the healthy development of the trade.

     Meanwhile, to enhance personalised point-to-point public transport services, the Government has introduced a regulatory regime for ride-hailing services through legislation, thereby providing passengers with more safe and compliant transport options. We will also require licensed platforms to provide taxi-hailing services to facilitate commuters. When licensed ride-hailing platforms commence operation in the future, we will have a full understanding of the platforms' operational data, closely monitor market developments, and take holistic account of the operating environment of taxis, in the course of conducting a dynamic assessment of demand and supply.

     The Government will continue to promote the complementary strengths and healthy competition between taxis and ride-hailing vehicles on the premise of maintaining the efficient operation of the public transport system, with a view to fostering the long-term healthy development of the personalised point-to-point transport service industry.

     Thank you, President.

Ends/Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Issued at HKT 13:25

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