66 taxi drivers penalized under demerit system

A total of 66 taxi drivers have been penalized under the Taxi-Driver-Offence Points (TDOP) system, according to the city's transport chief.

In a written response detailing the efficiency of the TDOP system, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan stated that the penalized drivers were involved in offenses such as overcharging, refusing to accept a hire or driving to a destination other than by the most direct practicable route.

Forty-nine cabbies incurred 10 points, 12 received five points, and five got three points as of March 9, with none accumulating more than 15 points that could disqualify them from driving cabs for a certain period of time.

Regarding the law enforcement numbers related to taxi driver offenses, Chan reported a total of 78, 260 and 41 individuals were issued summonses or arrested for overcharging, refusing to pick up passengers and taking longer routes respectively, during the period from 2022 to the third quarter of 2024.

Additionally, 54 drivers were prosecuted and convicted for overcharging.

To assist tourists in reporting violators, Chan stated that the department has published leaflets with taxi fare rates and contact information for the 1823 hotline, the Transport Complaints Unit, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and the police, which will be distributed at the airport, major border crossings, and tourist attractions. 

To combat taxi drivers' illegal activities, Chan mentioned the legislative amendments mandating the installation of in-vehicle cameras, dash cameras, and global navigation satellite systems in all taxi compartments, and the proposal will be presented to the Legislative Council in the second quarter of 2025.