Hong Kong taxi trade fights back with dozens more cabs offering a premium service

Ford Transit Connect vehicles offer more space for passengers and their luggage with monitoring devices to keep drivers in check

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Jumbo Taxi founder Chow Kwok-keung (left) and transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming at the launch. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 9:16pm, 1 Dec 2016Updated: 10:57pm, 1 Dec 2016

Sixty more premium taxis will offer customers a smoother ride as industry players step up efforts to revive the city’s tarnished cab trade.

By gradually upgrading the quality of service, they hope the government will back down on its controversial plan to introduce 600 premium cabs under a franchise scheme that will charge higher fares.

The Jumbo Taxi vehicles cost HK$250,000 and run on LPG. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Taxi operator Chow Kwok-keung has partnered with Future Motors to launch the service, called Jumbo Taxi. The Ford Transit Connect vehicles, which cost HK$250,000 each and run on LPG, provide a spacious interior and extra-large cargo space that can hold nine pieces of luggage.

There is free Wi-fi and a mobile phone charging service for passengers. A monitoring device will deter drivers from taking longer routes or slipping into bad habits, such as speeding or hitting the brakes on and off.

A complaints mechanism has been set up to resolve any disputes that might arise, with compensation for offended customers.

“Jumbo Taxi currently has some 40 premium taxis on the road with the number reaching 60 by the end of this month. We aim to expand the number to 100 early next year with a more comfortable, convenient and safe service for Hong Kong,” Chow said.