Hong Kong cabbies call plan for premium taxi fleet unfair to small operators, unworkable due to lack of drivers

Hong Kong taxi groups have dismissed a government plan to introduce a premium cab fleet, saying its requirement for prospective operators to field at least 300 vehicles pandered to cash-rich companies and failed to help most drivers.

The government has tabled an amendment bill laying out how the proposed taxi fleet would operate. It encourages taxi operators to provide quality service by forming a professional fleet management team.

A source told the Post that ride-hailing firm Uber was welcomed by authorities to run the taxi fleet, but the government was standing firm in its opposition to ride-sharing businesses offering private car rides without the mandatory hire-car permit.

“There will be no room for negotiation about illegal ride-sharing operation, but Uber can still apply to run the taxi fleets,” the insider said.

An Uber spokesman said it welcomed the government’s initiatives to improve the taxi experience in Hong Kong. “We are open to working with relevant stakeholders and the government such that the whole society can enjoy better taxi rides,” he said.

Under the proposed scheme, each fleet size should have 300 to 1,000 taxis if operating in the city centre or 100 to 350 cabs in servicing the New Territories, with the licensee required to own at least 10 per cent of the vehicles. The licensee must maintain an employer-employee relationship with at least 10 per cent of fleet drivers.

Each fleet must include at least 10 per cent of wheelchair-accessible taxis and more luxurious vehicles each valued at more than HK$300,000 (US$38,346), while all fleet taxis should be less than three years old and equipped with facilities such as Wi-fi and e-payment options.