Taxi industry resigned to accept tiny fare rise

A representative of the taxi industry said on Tuesday that cabbies are resigned to accept the upcoming taxi fare rise for as little as HK$2, also calling on the establishment for a minimum wage mechanism to adjust fare levels in the future.

The comment came after government sources previously told Sing Tao Daily, sister paper of The Standard, that the flagfall for urban taxis will likely increase by HK$2 to HK$29 as the government will soon scrutinize the sector's hike application.

The sector earlier suggested raising the flagfall 17 percent to HK$32 from the current HK$27 for urban taxis. However, sources said the government will not allow the flagfall to go beyond HK$30 and would only allow a HK$2 hike - or 7.4 percent.

The chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association Chow Kwok-keung told a radio program this morning that cabbies are persistently facing unreasonable wage levels, making it impossible to improve the normal development of the industry. 

He said the taxi industry itself has room for improvement concerning the authorities, especially after ride-hailing services were introduced to the industry.

“The Transport Department should allow cabbies to use certain maps, so that cabbies can choose the shortest routes for driving and navigation based on such data to reduce conflicts with passengers,” said Chow.