Letters | Hong Kong must improve taxi services and let the market have its say

Readers discuss how the taxi industry can flourish, and the suggestion that the number of ride-hailing platforms be capped

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A taxi overtakes another near a construction site in Central on May 30. Photo: Sun Yeung

Published: 2:30pm, 13 Jul 2024

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I read with interest the continuing battle to prevent Uber from operating. The long- awaited government suggestions as to how to regulate the ride-hailing industry only seem to restrict as opposed to creating anything proactive or, heaven forbid, thinking out of the box.

Over the years, Hong Kong has thrived by being a free market where market forces have dictated success or failure. Unimaginative intervention is a course for disaster. It seems plain to me that the market has spoken – Uber is costlier than an ordinary taxi. Hongkongers are not known for willingly paying more than we need to, yet the market is supporting Uber. Surely this must present the most obvious of conclusions: that the regular taxis must improve their service.

Time and again, comments have been made about the state of taxis here, yet nothing is done about it. Why are licence holders not being held to account for this? I venture to suggest that if several factors are put into play the market will quickly turn back to supporting taxis.

Start with improving the standard of driving. Next, ensure taxis are clean inside and out – used tissues and the like lying around are unhealthy and unsightly – and that taxi drivers actually know where they are going rather than relying on apps to search (often while driving). Ensure cash-free payment methods are available in more taxis. Encourage a more polite attitude to passengers.

Taxi drivers are constantly demanding higher fares. I agree that fares should go up, but to the benefit of the driver and not the licence holder. And, these fare increases should only be allowed if the taxi maintains certain standards. If a few simple common sense measures are put into place, there should be no need for increased regulation; the market will dictate what it wants and everyone will be happier and safer.

Colin Dawson, Sai Ying Pun