Battery-powered seven-seater vans will soon be introduced across the New Territories as a more comfortable alternative to the usual taxis, with the same fares, at least initially.
The chairman of the Taxi and Public Light Bus Concern Group, Lai Ming-hung, said three taxi companies had invested up to HK$60 million to buy 20 modified seven-seat Toyota vans, which will be introduced as a pilot scheme in June.
They are an attempt to counter business taken away by illegal van services operating out of the airport.
Last year, taxi drivers staged several protests, including one that blocked Central traffic for hours, to express anger at the illegal vans.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association chairman Brandon Tong Yeuk-fung said one of its company members was ready to buy at least 100 London-style cabs, to be built by mainland carmaker Geely Holdings Group.
The Hong Kong Productivity Council is working with Geely to transform the diesel-run cabs to run on liquefied petroleum gas.
Stephen Lee Sik-fun, a council director, said a solution to the problem was expected to be reached in another month.