New demerit point system for Hong Kong taxi drivers being considered in crackdown on bad services

Proposals draw mixed reactions from industry and transport sector lawmaker, as city seeks to stem overcharging and refusing to take passengers

Reading Time:3 minutes

A lady talking to a taxi driver in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 10:30pm, 17 May 2018Updated: 11:33pm, 17 May 2018

Hong Kong’s taxi drivers may finally have to pay the price for notoriously bad services, with the government mulling a new demerit point system for 18 kinds of offences, ranging from overcharging to refusing hires, in addition to tougher penalties.

The proposals drew mixed reactions: the Hong Kong Taxi Council, comprising 17 taxi associations, said it agreed with the points system but asked for a review of the 18 offences, while the Legislative Council’s transport sector lawmaker had concerns as well.

“We won’t support it if the taxi trade opposes the proposals,” the Liberal Party’s Frankie Yick Chi-ming said.

The government proposals are up for discussion by its Committee on Taxi Service Quality. It was set up earlier this year to provide advice on ways to ensure better services by the city’s 18,163 taxis and drivers belonging to some 50 taxi groups.

Under the demerit point system, drivers will have points deducted each time they commit an offence, in addition to facing relevant penalties already stipulated by law. Those who have 15 points deducted over two years will have their licences suspended for three months.