Hong Kong taxi operators seek to raise flag fall charge by as much as 20%, citing high insurance costs, fewer rides
- Proposal calls for increasing base fare for HK$32, HK$28 and HK$26.5 for red, green and blue cabs, respectively
- But lawmakers doubt government will approve requested amount and say any increase should come with better service
Hong Kong’s taxi operators have proposed raising the flag fall charge by as much as 20 per cent, which would put the base fare for urban cabs at HK$32 (US$4), a plan that several lawmakers have poured cold water on.
Chau Kwok-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, on Wednesday said that the subsequent incremental charges would also be increased by 20 HK cents across the board regardless of distance and cab type under the proposal.
He said drivers needed the increase due to higher insurance costs, losing customers to the Uber ride-hailing service and the city’s railway network, and expenses stemming from a government-backed initiative to introduce electric taxis.
“I hope after this fare adjustment, it will potentially increase the amount of money made by taxi owners and drivers by several dozens of Hong Kong dollars per day,” Chau said.
“In this case, this will offset expenses for everyone and will also reduce the anger that everyone has.”
The base fare on red taxis, which serve urban areas, would rise by 18.5 per cent from HK$27 to HK$32 under the plan, reached through consensus in March last year.