The government is proposing to introduce six-seater taxis in Hong Kong, along with a driver offense points mechanism under which cabbies could lose their license for breaching traffic rules or bad services.

Taxi drivers who have accumulated 15 offense points or more in two years will be prohibited from driving a cab for a period, says a paper presented by the Transport and Logistics Bureau to the Legislative Council.

The three-layer penalty points system covers 11 driver-related offenses that affect service quality and will carry harsher penalties, depending on the seriousness of the offense.

Overcharging and refusing or neglecting to accept a hire are more serious offenses and will be assigned 10 points.

"Long hauling" or not letting passengers know the proper fare and route will be assigned five points. Less serious offenses such as refusing or neglecting to issue a receipt will carry three points.

Drivers will be required to attend a taxi service improvement course if they incur 10 or more points within two years.

"The proposed points mechanism helps enhance the overall deterrent effect, particularly on taxi drivers who have repeatedly committed various malpractices relating to taxi services," the bureau said.

The bureau also proposed to increase the taxi seating capacity from five to six so passengers can have more choices and to increase competitiveness.

Authorities also proposed introducing a fleet licensing regime in which taxi owners may form a fleet and apply for a fleet license.

A passenger surnamed Wong said he supported the government's proposals. "I live in Chai Wan and drivers always refuse to take me for cross-harbor journeys," he said.

To Sun-tong of the Motor Transport Workers General Union (Kowloon branch) said he will not oppose the bill if it is beneficial to taxi drivers, but questioned the industry's capacity to form fleets.

He also supported the points system, but said the penalties are too harsh.

Changes in cab rules coming