Hong Kong approves demerit point system to stamp out bad behaviour by taxi drivers, but lawmakers question enforcement and urge use of existing laws
- Transport secretary Lam Sai-hung says measure, to be introduced by third quarter next year, needed to combat ‘black sheep’ in trade and improve industry’s image
- But some lawmakers warn authorities will struggle to catch offenders, saying ‘lack of determination’ behind poor enforcement to date
Hong Kong’s legislature has passed a bill introducing a demerit points system aimed at stamping out bad behaviour of cabbies, but some lawmakers have said enforcement will be difficult and authorities should instead better apply existing laws.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung stressed on Thursday that the system, to be introduced by the third quarter of next year, was needed to combat “black sheep” in the trade and improve the industry’s image.
“The quality of taxi services has come under the spotlight in recent years,” Lam said at the Legislative Council meeting. “The number of complaints regarding taxis the [authorities] received between 2020 and 2022 reached several thousand, which shows there is still much room for improvement.”
Under the system, taxi drivers will be given demerit points for 11 types of behaviour and face being disqualified from driving their cabs if they accumulate too many.
The bill was passed with the support of 68 lawmakers, while three opposed it and 13 abstained from the vote. Lam said the scheduled launch date of the system would allow sufficient time for authorities and the industry to prepare.