The transport bureau has proposed a HK$2 rise in the flag fall of urban taxis to cover higher operating costs, less than a year after the last increase came into effect.
The Transport and Housing Bureau has also suggested a HK$2.50 flag-fall rise for taxis in the New Territories and HK$2 for Lantau.
The rise was submitted yesterday to the Legislative Council for discussion.
If eventually endorsed by the Executive Council, it will mean the price of the first 2 kilometres of any trip would be HK$22 in urban areas, HK$19 in the New Territories and HK$17 on Lantau.
The bureau has not proposed an increase in incremental charges - those applied for every 200 metres after the first 2 kilometres - because taxi groups did not ask for one. The bureau has also not requested a fuel surcharge, despite calls from some taxi associations and a lawmaker.
The administration said that 'introducing a fuel surcharge does not necessarily increase the actual income of drivers' and the surcharge might cause confusion and disputes between passengers and drivers.
The previous fare increase was last July, when the flag fall for all taxis rose HK$2 and higher incremental charges were applied. The new proposal was prompted by rising operating costs caused by a 12 per cent surge in the cost of liquefied petroleum gas from HK$4.71 per litre on average last year to HK$5.29 this month.