What do you think is a fair flagfall for taxis?
The question probably shouldn't focus on 'fairness', but rather on 'profitability' for the taxi drivers.
Would an increase in flagfall really result in profitability for them?
I wonder if they have factored in the possible falling passenger numbers and, therefore, a drop in revenue. Remember the law of 'diminishing marginal returns'?
An increase in flagfall passes the burden to the consumers while not necessarily providing profits for the taxi drivers. This is not a win-win situation.
Yes, oil prices are high and are increasing. But have the taxi drivers looked at the tax on oil? It is almost 80 per cent.
Given that the Hong Kong government is working with a surplus of billions of dollars, perhaps a major tax reduction on oil would help not only the taxi trade, but also the other forms of public transport, like buses and minibuses, which are also increasing their fares?