Hong Kong taxi owners promise drivers fare share of price hike
Cabbies complain previous rises disappeared into operators' pockets. This time, deals are struck as government approves price increase
The extra money cabbies are set to make when higher fares kick in at the end of the year will not all end up going to taxi owners in higher rents under deals struck between the two sides.
This time, some owners have agreed to split the rise, while another group has agreed not to raise rents at all for the first three months. However, one drivers' representative warned none of the deals had been set in stone.
On Tuesday, the government approved an application for taxis to raise flag-fall charges by HK$2 from December. That means the minimum fare for urban taxis will be HK$22; for New Territories taxis, it will be HK$18.50; and for Lantau cabs HK$17.
For every 200 metres after the first two kilometres, HK$1.40 will be added - a rise of 10 cents.
Lai Ming-hung, of the Taxi and Public Light Bus Concern Group, said some taxi rental companies had agreed to split the extra revenue with drivers. "So, for the flag-fall increase of HK$2, drivers should get HK$1 and owners should get HK$1."
He said that meant a rent rise of no more than HK$50 a day on the current HK$800. "If they don't keep their promise, I will protest at their doors," Lai said.