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Launch of new eTaxi app in Hong Kong hailed as ‘historic’ moment as trade battles popularity of Uber
- App, which already has 4,000 drivers signed up, allows passengers to pay via Octopus Card
- Hong Kong Taxi Council chief Hung Wing-tat says app includes functions that Uber does not have
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A Hong Kong taxi alliance officially launched a ride-hailing app on Tuesday to rival Uber, boasting payment through the popular Octopus Card and call centre support for cabbies.
The launch of the eTaxi app, which already has 4,000 drivers signed up comes amid mounting complaints against taxi drivers, especially for turning down trips. This has led to the increasing popularity of Uber and hostility towards the taxi industry.
Passengers have also long urged cabbies to accept alternative payment methods such as Octopus and credit cards.
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“The launch is historic,” said Hung Wing-tat, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Council, an alliance of 17 groups comprising taxi owners, drivers and other stakeholders. “The app is a historic creation from the combined effort of the whole taxi industry.”
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Speaking at the app’s launching ceremony, Hung said the taxi alliance had invested several millions of dollars in the app, and the council’s target was to ultimately include all the city’s 40,000 taxi drivers in the service. He said taxi drivers using the app would allow Octopus payment on their portable devices, or via Octopus’ O! ePay app.
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