Hong Kong Taxi Council re-embarks on 'courtesy campaign' to educate drivers and passengers

The Hong Kong Taxi Council re-launched the "courtesy campaign" on Wednesday, dispatching ambassadors to taxi stands to distribute leaflets as well as outlining proper hospitality to drivers.

During the two-month campaign, the Council will send courtesy ambassadors every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to the busy taxi stands across the city, such as the Peak Tram Station, Admiralty MTR Station, Times Square, Shun Tak Center, and Hung Hom Station, etc.

In addition to providing correct information to passengers and drivers and helping them familiarise themselves with the fare levels, ambassadors will also explain to taxi drivers to refrain from refusing boarding, picking and choosing passengers, purposely taking longer routes, or indiscriminately inflating taxi fares.

Wong Cheuk-pong, chairman of the Taxi Council, said all courtesy ambassadors had been trained to understand taxi operations, drivers, and passengers' advisories. If there are questions that the ambassadors cannot answer, council members will be present to assist. 

He also revealed that the Transport Department is implementing a fleet management licensing system (luxury taxis) in which about 300 taxis will form a fleet and operate as a company to provide a higher level of service to passengers. He added that vehicle models will be newer, and fares may also be higher.

Wong also stated that according to the latest taxi service quality questionnaire results, the average service satisfaction score was 59.3 points, which showed the services have room for improvement.