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Letters | Let’s move towards a unified platform for taxi and ride-hailing services

Readers discuss a solution for point-to-point transport services, a way to improve the Guangdong driver scheme, and national security law

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The coexistence of taxis and ride-hailing platforms is necessary for the health of Hong Kong’s transport ecosystem. Photo: Dickson Lee
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Over more than a decade, the price of a Hong Kong taxi licence has plummeted from an astronomical HK$7 million to less than HK$2 million. Is buying back these licences with taxpayers’ money the right thing to do?
Taxi drivers have undeniably faced challenges in recent years, due to factors including fuel costs and competition from ride-hailing platforms like Uber.
Negative perceptions of the taxi industry – stemming from overcharging, fare refusals, and poor behaviour – have further eroded public trust and patronage. Moreover, many work from home in the post-pandemic economy or spend weekends across the border, impacting local taxi usage.

The rise of ride-hailing platforms is not the root cause of the taxi industry’s problems. Passengers simply want a reasonable point-to-point transport service. They expect to be charged by the meter. They don’t want to see drivers trying to answer multiple phone calls during their rides. Passengers expect drivers to know the roads, take efficient routes and stay professional and courteous. These are not big asks, but some drivers still do not meet expectations.

Not all taxi drivers are bad and their coexistence with ride-hailing platforms is necessary for the health of Hong Kong’s transport ecosystem.

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