Airport taxi queues made easier in severe weather

As the typhoon season approaches, the Airport Authority is implementing a queuing ticket system for taxis to assist locals and visitors who are unable to leave the airport during severe weather, says executive director Steven Yiu Siu-chung.

"A dedicated rest area with snacks and water will be provided for stranded travelers," he said. "Tourists in need can scan a QR code on their phone to obtain a queuing ticket, allowing them to wait in the rest area instead of the taxi stands."

The temporary rest areas will have at least 500 seats and 10 mobile phone charging stations, able to charge 24 phones at a time with locks to prevent theft, as well as supply packs containing water, snacks and a blanket.

"Buses stop operating under Typhoon Signal No 8, while the MTR suspends service under Typhoon Signal No 9, effectively cutting off all airport transportation," Yiu said. "In this situation, stranded travelers are generally very anxious and hope to get a taxi as soon as possible."

The queuing ticket system has already undergone testing and will be activated during Typhoon Signal No 8 or 9, heavy rain, or taxi shortages.

Tourists can download the "GULU" app or use ticket machines to get separate tickets for urban, New Territories, and Lantau taxis.

Display screens will show the queue status for each taxi type and travelers will only be allowed to board after their ticket is checked and validated by staff. Yiu emphasized this is to discourage taxi use during the highest typhoon signals, as no taxis will be in service then.

Instead, the goal is to facilitate an orderly evacuation once the taxi supply resumes after the storm. Yiu stressed that the safest place during bad weather is inside the terminal and travelers should avoid lingering outdoors.

Yiu said that the fastest way to evacuate travelers is the Airport Express. Each train can carry 800 passengers per trip but service will only resume after the typhoon signal is lowered to No 8 or No 3.

Additionally, the Automated People Mover service will end two hours earlier at 11pm on non-peak days starting in July, due to upgrade work needed to meet increased passenger demand after the third runway is completed.

This will affect check-in services at T1 East Hall, West Hall, and the T1 Midfield Concourse. Shuttle buses will be arranged for impacted travelers.

The implementation of a ticket system has become necessary as public transportation options will be limited during high-level typhoon signals, such as October last year when many tourists were stranded at the airport for more than three hours as there were no taxis during typhoon Koinu.

marcus.lum@singtaonewscorp.com