Cabbies’ leader expects income to increase up to $130 each shift after fare hikes

The income of taxi drivers can increase by HK$100 to HK$130 each shift after the fare hikes take effect starting July 14, an industry leader predicted, while the transport chief said the government has balanced the interests of all parties in approving the hikes. 

The Executive Council yesterday (Tue) approved the HK$2 raise in flagfall for urban, New Territories, and Lantau taxis, as well as a 20-cent increase to HK$2.1 per meter jump and a 10-cent rise to HK$1.4 after 9 kilometers for urban taxis. 

Speaking on a radio program on Wednesday, Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association chairman Chau Kwok-keung predicted that cabbies’ income could increase by up to HK$130 each shift. 

He also said taxi owners will increase the rent in phases, starting with a HK$20 to HK$30 hike for each shift in the first phase. 

Chau believes the hike in rent is also acceptable for the cabbies but noted that it will take some time to observe if the trade would lose customers due to the fare increases. 

Ng Kwan-shing, chairman of the Taxi Dealers & Owners Association Ltd, also expects drivers’ income to increase by a few thousands dollars a month. Yet, he voiced concerns on the “bleak” business environment at night since citizens have changed their lifestyles. 

Ng hopes the official taxi fleets can provide special offers and the government can allow more pick-up and drop-off points, allow owners to modify the taxis’ color, and arrange for more tourists to take taxis at the airport. 

On a separate radio program, Commissioner for Transport Angela Lee Chung-yan said the fare increases this time have balanced the considerations of all parties. 

She continued that authorities have to ensure a stable supply of taxi services and at the same time cater to the needs of citizens so that taxi owners, drivers and the public all think that this trade is “worth doing.” 

When asked if the government will regularly review the taxi fares in the future, Lee said the fare hikes are proposed by the trade and it may not be appropriate for the trade to request a regular review simply based on certain factors, such as cabbies’ income. 

Lee also said the industry has to enhance its services for its own healthy development instead of relying on price hikes. She pointed out that there is still a small number of “bad apples” and hopes there will be improvements after the legislation passed last year raised the penalties for breaches.