My Take | Hong Kong’s taxi passengers deserve a smoother ride and a better deal

Taxi rides in Hong Kong are a necessity, rather than a luxury, for many residents in a city where the flag fall is relatively cheap and only a privileged minority own cars.

But a cab trip can be an eventful experience. Sometimes it feels as if passengers are taking their lives in their hands. A recent spate of incidents involving taxi drivers has, yet again, focused attention on the outdated industry and its resistance to change.

Two unrelated accidents in the space of a week this month saw cab drivers drive off the road and plunge down a slope. In March, a taxi driven by an 84-year-old ran into and injured three pedestrians on a crossing, while in January an 87-year-old was involved in three accidents in nine days. On average, at least 12 taxis a day are involved in accidents.

These latest incidents raise fresh concerns amid plunging approval ratings for Hong Kong’s taxis. The industry is ripe for reform.

Many of the city’s cab drivers are elderly. It is struggling to attract young recruits. In March this year, 1,713 holders of taxi driving licences were over 80. Almost 30,000 are in their seventies.

An advanced age does not necessarily make a driver unsafe. But this is a job requiring good eyesight, sound judgment, sharp reactions and high levels of concentration. As drivers age, it is important to ensure they retain the physical and mental health required to work gruelling 10-hour shifts on the road.

This is why the government is, apparently, considering stepping up health checks for elderly drivers. A more rigorous system to regularly review licences is urgently needed.