https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/325383/feed en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Three Hong Kong taxi drivers have been disqualified from driving cabs for three months after accumulating 15 demerit points or more under a penalty system in place for two years, the transport chief has said, disclosing such figures for the first time. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Wednesday that since the mechanism took effect in September 2024, 229 taxi drivers had incurred demerit points as of October 2, with 125 cases involving a refusal to accept a hire. In a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3370878/3-hong-kong-taxi-drivers-banned-3-months-under-demerit-points-system?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3370878/3-hong-kong-taxi-drivers-banned-3-months-under-demerit-points-system?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:27:34 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Four taxi passengers escaped injury after their driver lost consciousness at the wheel on a Hong Kong highway, leaving them struggling to control the vehicle before it hit a road divider. Dashcam footage circulating online on Monday captured the incident. It showed the 66-year-old driver slumped unconscious behind the wheel as a male passenger in the front seat and three women in the back desperately try to rouse him. The taxi was travelling eastbound on Ching Cheung Road near Nob Hill at about... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369381/taxi-passengers-take-wheel-after-cabby-faints-while-driving-hong-kong-highway?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369381/taxi-passengers-take-wheel-after-cabby-faints-while-driving-hong-kong-highway?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:06:26 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Online ride-hailing giant Uber will close a second Hong Kong metered taxi platform by the end of this year, just over six months after buying the business. Uber said on Friday that it would fully integrate FlyTaxi’s services into its own platform by the end of the year, stating that it aimed to provide “optimal” support for drivers and users. “As part of this integration, the stand-alone FlyTaxi app will [be shut down]. Our team is dedicated to guiding every rider and driver through this period... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3368756/uber-shuts-down-flytaxi-second-metered-cab-platform-it-acquired-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3368756/uber-shuts-down-flytaxi-second-metered-cab-platform-it-acquired-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:39:36 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen More than 11,000 Hong Kong residents have applied to take a new joint examination required to qualify for a taxi driving licence or ride-hailing permit, exceeding government expectations, the city’s transport minister has said. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan also shared details on Monday about a separate scheme enabling mainland Chinese yachts to enter city waters, noting that candidates taking the required certification exam achieved a strong pass rate. Hong Kong recently... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3368211/over-11000-applicants-new-hong-kong-taxi-riding-hailing-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3368211/over-11000-applicants-new-hong-kong-taxi-riding-hailing-test?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:45:59 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang A mainland Chinese joint venture will introduce an electric taxi in Hong Kong next month, but a lawmaker has warned that a lack of quick-charging stations remains the biggest challenge to the government’s target of introducing 3,000 such cabs by next year. SAIC-GM-Wuling, a joint venture between SAIC Motor, General Motors China and Guangxi Automobile Group, on Tuesday unveiled its Darion Taxi, a new six-seater e-taxi to be launched in Hong Kong. DH Legend Motors, the joint venture’s sole Hong... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367619/mainland-chinese-joint-venture-launches-new-electric-taxi-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3367619/mainland-chinese-joint-venture-launches-new-electric-taxi-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:18:51 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Several ride-hailing firms have expressed an interest in offering services under the new regulatory regime in Hong Kong, one day after the government opened licence applications setting out nine requirements, the transport chief has revealed. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Saturday that two to three firms had expressed an interest in offering ride-hailing services, emphasising that operators were capable of meeting the requirements. “Just one day after our announcement,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3365691/several-ride-hailing-firms-express-interest-hong-kong-licences-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3365691/several-ride-hailing-firms-express-interest-hong-kong-licences-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2026 06:27:52 +0000 Simpson Cheung,Veronica Qi Simpson Cheung,Veronica Qi Hong Kong authorities have opened licence applications for ride-hailing platforms under a new regulatory scheme, requiring operators to have a proven track record of providing lawful services in cities with populations of more than 7.5 million, while handling over 100,000 daily orders in at least two locations. Announcing the licensing terms on Friday, the Transport Department said eligibility criteria also included using technology such as facial recognition for due diligence checks to ensure... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3365541/ride-hailing-platforms-seeking-hong-kong-licence-must-have-handled-100000-orders-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3365541/ride-hailing-platforms-seeking-hong-kong-licence-must-have-handled-100000-orders-day?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Aug 2026 04:49:38 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong More ride-hailing platform operators from mainland China and Southeast Asia have approached the Hong Kong government about entering the city’s market ahead of the launch of licensed operations, the transport minister has revealed. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan also said on Sunday that more than 7,500 people had applied for the new combined taxi and ride-hailing vehicle written test, calling the number a “very good and positive” sign. “We hope there will be more competition and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3364967/chinese-southeast-asian-ride-hailing-firms-eye-hong-kong-amid-licensing-roll-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3364967/chinese-southeast-asian-ride-hailing-firms-eye-hong-kong-amid-licensing-roll-out?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Aug 2026 07:51:32 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Hong Kong recorded a 44 per cent year-on-year increase in fatal traffic accidents in the first half of 2026, with many cases involving elderly victims and older drivers, police said, adding that they supported tighter health check requirements for motorists. Police said on Wednesday that the city recorded 59 fatal traffic accidents in the first half of this year, up from 41 in the same period in 2025, while the number of fatalities rose from 43 to 63. This rise in deaths stood in contrast to the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3363045/hong-kong-fatal-traffic-accidents-rise-44-first-half-2026-63-dead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3363045/hong-kong-fatal-traffic-accidents-rise-44-first-half-2026-63-dead?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:04:49 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin More than 1,000 applicants have registered for a new combined test for taxi and ride-hailing services in Hong Kong, with lawmakers expecting more people to sign up to meet demand for drivers once the city’s ride-hailing regulatory regime takes effect next year. The initial response came after the Transport Department replaced the stand-alone taxi driver exam with the new combined test, which allows successful candidates to apply for a taxi driving licence or a ride-hailing vehicle permit after... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3362956/over-1000-sign-hong-kongs-new-taxi-ride-hailing-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3362956/over-1000-sign-hong-kongs-new-taxi-ride-hailing-test?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:29:44 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial One year into the launch of the city’s premium taxi fleets, the promise of a better transport service for passengers is arguably just halfway honoured. While the operators are catching up following initial setbacks, the journey ahead will not be the smooth ride that policymakers and the industry have hoped for. With more than 2,000 fleet taxis currently on the road, there are at least more choices. As of the end of May, the five fleets – SynCab, Big Boss Taxi, Amigo, Big Bee Taxi and Joie – had... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3362517/road-improving-hong-kongs-taxi-services-far-smooth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3362517/road-improving-hong-kongs-taxi-services-far-smooth?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Hong Kong taxi and minibus drivers have called for a two-month liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy scheme to be extended amid uncertainty over the war in the Middle East, and warned monthly operating costs could rise by up to 33 per cent when the policy ends this week. A government task force rolled out the subsidy on May 31, which offers a 50 HK cent (6 US cent) per litre rebate on LPG at the pump for taxis, minibuses and school buses in response to volatility stemming from the United... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3362356/extend-lpg-subsidy-or-watch-costs-go-hong-kong-taxi-light-bus-drivers-urge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3362356/extend-lpg-subsidy-or-watch-costs-go-hong-kong-taxi-light-bus-drivers-urge?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:09:09 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau A top Hong Kong transport official has pledged to step up efforts to help the city’s premium taxi fleets recruit drivers, conceding that the number of vehicles on the road remains about one-third below target a year after the scheme was launched. As the five taxi fleets offering premium service marked a year of operations in July, the government said on Tuesday that more than 2,000 fleet taxis and about 2,400 drivers were currently in service. As of the end of May, the five fleets – SynCab, Big... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3362114/hong-kong-steps-support-premium-taxi-fleets-face-driver-shortage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3362114/hong-kong-steps-support-premium-taxi-fleets-face-driver-shortage?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:11:12 +0000 Mike Rowse Mike Rowse The long-awaited earthquake in Hong Kong’s taxi and ride-hailing scene is almost upon us and the questions are how big the initial shock will be, and how many aftershocks we can expect. The important thing in the coming months will be to keep the focus on protecting the interests of the travelling public. More than a decade after Uber first set up in Hong Kong, operating in a regulatory grey area, the administration is finally moving to overhaul our ride-hailing system. Tech platforms will be... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3361634/one-voice-hong-kong-cant-ignore-ride-hailing-public?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3361634/one-voice-hong-kong-cant-ignore-ride-hailing-public?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jul 2026 21:30:07 +0000 Brian Wong Brian Wong A Hong Kong kindergarten clerk who was seriously injured by a taxi during the 2019 anti-government protests has told the High Court she has been unable to resume a normal life, citing ongoing mobility limitations, extensive leg scarring and the likelihood of future knee replacement surgery. Park Hoi-lam’s lawyers on Tuesday urged the court to find taxi driver Henry Cheng Kwok-chuen liable for at least HK$8.4 million (US$1.07 million) in damages after his vehicle mounted a pavement and struck her... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3361388/hong-kong-clerk-says-normal-life-ended-after-taxi-hit-her-during-2019-protest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3361388/hong-kong-clerk-says-normal-life-ended-after-taxi-hit-her-during-2019-protest?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:56:01 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Taxi trade leader Chau Kwok-keung says he has never felt as much fear as he does now after transport minister Mable Chan set a 10,000-vehicle cap for ride-hailing service permits in May, in a bid to resolve what she called a “long-standing controversy” between traditional cabs and online service providers. Chau, a 40-year veteran of the industry, worries that the trade, comprising 18,163 taxis and about 46,000 active cabbies, will be driven into a dead end because he believes the quota will... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3360841/hong-kong-kicking-can-down-road-ride-hailing-quota?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3360841/hong-kong-kicking-can-down-road-ride-hailing-quota?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:30:06 +0000 Jess Ma,Lam Ka-sing Jess Ma,Lam Ka-sing Five traffic accidents have occurred on Tsuen Wan Road within the first three days of the launch of a new overpass, prompting Hong Kong transport authorities to install additional signage reminding motorists of the new arrangements. Three of the incidents occurred within 15 minutes of each other on Tuesday morning along Tsuen Wan Road, involving a total of eight vehicles and leaving one person injured. The new single-lane bridge, which opened on Sunday, links the Kowloon-bound fast lane of Tsuen... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3360565/more-safety-signs-added-new-hong-kong-overpass-after-5-crashes-3-days?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3360565/more-safety-signs-added-new-hong-kong-overpass-after-5-crashes-3-days?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:27:10 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong authorities have relaxed a recent proposal requiring mandatory annual medical check-ups for commercial vehicle drivers aged 65 to 69, reducing the frequency to twice in five years following an industry backlash. The proposal, set to take effect in mid-2027, will reduce the age threshold for mandatory medical certification for commercial vehicle drivers from 70 to 65. In a policy paper submitted to the legislature on Friday, the Transport and Logistics Bureau said the move was aimed at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3360180/hong-kong-eases-proposed-health-check-rules-elderly-commercial-drivers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3360180/hong-kong-eases-proposed-health-check-rules-elderly-commercial-drivers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:07:48 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Hong Kong taxi drivers will be able to identify streets with high rider demand using a big data prediction model powered by artificial intelligence (AI) as soon as mid-2027, according to a cab payment start-up and a university that developed the system. The StreetSights system is the result of a collaboration between Dash and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which said on Thursday that their interim research results were up to 90 per cent accurate in forecasting demand and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3360018/how-ai-could-help-hong-kong-taxi-drivers-find-customers-streets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3360018/how-ai-could-help-hong-kong-taxi-drivers-find-customers-streets?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:40:19 +0000 Kristen Cheung Kristen Cheung A Hong Kong taxi driver has died and two passengers have been injured after a head-on collision with a bus on Hiram’s Highway in Sai Kung. The crash occurred at about 6.47pm on Saturday near Pak Sha Terrace, when the taxi veered across the centre line and struck the front of a KMB route 92 bus heading in the opposite direction towards Clear Water Bay, police said. Rescuers freed the driver, 64, who was unconscious and trapped in the taxi. He was taken to Tseung Kwan O Hospital and later... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3359437/hong-kong-taxi-driver-dies-two-passengers-hurt-head-crash-bus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3359437/hong-kong-taxi-driver-dies-two-passengers-hurt-head-crash-bus?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Jul 2026 15:04:39 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong A taxi driver and a passenger were injured after the vehicle collided with a truck on Kwun Tong Road in Hong Kong on Tuesday afternoon. Police said the crash occurred at about 12.25pm on the eastbound carriageway of the road, near Ping Shek Estate in Ngau Tau Kok. The taxi was headed towards the public transport interchange in Choi Hung when it struck a medium goods vehicle that was travelling in the third lane, according to preliminary findings. The cab driver, a 27-year-old woman surnamed Yip,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3358044/driver-passenger-hurt-taxi-collides-truck-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3358044/driver-passenger-hurt-taxi-collides-truck-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:57:00 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying,Eric Jiang Lo Hoi-ying,Eric Jiang Two mainland Chinese ride-hailing operators in Hong Kong have backed a controversial plan to regulate the industry by capping vehicle permits at 10,000, a figure the city’s largest American business chamber considers insufficient. In submissions to the Legislative Council on Monday and in recent days, Amap and Didi Chuxing said they supported the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s proposed cap as part of a new regulatory regime scheduled to be passed by lawmakers in July. Amap said the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3357919/mainland-ride-hailing-giants-back-hong-kong-plan-cap-permits-10000?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3357919/mainland-ride-hailing-giants-back-hong-kong-plan-cap-permits-10000?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:43:06 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li A Hong Kong taxi fleet has terminated its collaboration with a driver after a cab stopped in the middle of the road in Tsuen Wan for two passengers to alight and take their suitcases out from the boot, with authorities requesting a report from the operator. A video circulating on social media on Friday shows the two passengers, each with two suitcases, crossing two lanes of traffic on Castle Peak Road near Global Plaza to reach the pavement. Buses and other vehicles are seen passing by both... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3357741/taxi-fleet-severs-ties-driver-who-made-mid-road-stop-let-passengers-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3357741/taxi-fleet-severs-ties-driver-who-made-mid-road-stop-let-passengers-out?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:02:41 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Hong Kong police have arrested a van driver after his vehicle collided with a taxi on a highway, killing two passengers, an off-duty firefighter and his wife. The Fire Services Department said on Wednesday it was “deeply saddened” by the deaths of the 38-year-old from Kwun Tong Fire Station and his 35-year-old wife. The department extended its “deepest condolences” to their families and said it would offer help where possible. The crash on the eastbound Tsing Sha Highway near Hoi Lai Estate was... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3357427/hong-kong-van-driver-arrested-after-firefighter-and-wife-killed-crash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3357427/hong-kong-van-driver-arrested-after-firefighter-and-wife-killed-crash?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:24:22 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Two passengers were killed late on Tuesday when a truck slammed into their taxi on a wet highway in Hong Kong, with the cab flipping at least six times and tossing both of the victims onto the road. Police said the collision occurred at about 10pm on Tsing Sha Highway in Cheung Sha Wan as both vehicles were heading eastbound. The taxi was struck by the light goods truck near Hoi Lai Estate. The taxi’s two passengers, a man, 38, and a woman, 35, suffered multiple injuries and were pronounced dead... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3357347/2-passengers-killed-truck-collides-taxi-hong-kong-road?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3357347/2-passengers-killed-truck-collides-taxi-hong-kong-road?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:26:34 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Hong Kong transport authorities will “actively explore” the secure storage of ride-hailing data ahead of new regulations for the industry due to take effect in August, as part of efforts to ensure compliance with national security requirements. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Monday stopped short of revealing whether data about users collected by ride-hailing platforms in Hong Kong would be required to be kept in the city, but stressed the importance of privacy and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3357178/hong-kong-eyes-secure-storage-ride-hailing-data-national-security?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3357178/hong-kong-eyes-secure-storage-ride-hailing-data-national-security?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:11:39 +0000 Jane Lee Jane Lee Why do some governments consistently turn long-term goals into visible results while others struggle to move beyond policy announcements? The answer often lies not in ideology and planning but in governance: the ability to identify priorities, coordinate action and sustain implementation. As the Hong Kong government begins a public consultation on its first five-year plan, that question deserves careful attention. The city is not short of ideas, research and innovative policy proposals. Yet some... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3356739/hong-kongs-five-year-plan-must-boost-governance-ensure-results?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3356739/hong-kongs-five-year-plan-must-boost-governance-ensure-results?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:30:06 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Hong Kong police have arrested a 69-year-old taxi driver after he allegedly knocked down and killed a 34-year-old woman in a shopping district in the early hours of Saturday. The incident happened at around 2.12am near Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard in Tsim Sha Tsui. The taxi driver was travelling along Nathan Road towards Mong Kok when he struck the 34-year-old woman as she was crossing near Granville Road. The woman sustained serious injuries and was rushed unconscious to Queen Elizabeth... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3356195/taxi-driver-69-arrested-after-woman-killed-tsim-sha-tsui-collision?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3356195/taxi-driver-69-arrested-after-woman-killed-tsim-sha-tsui-collision?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Jun 2026 05:47:57 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong’s taxi trade has warned that 10 per cent of the city’s cab owners could soon default on vehicle mortgages as licence values have plunged, with many drivers switching to the new ride-hailing regime under which 10,000 permits will be issued. The market value of a taxi licence has fallen over the past two decades, from a historic high of HK$7.66 million in 2009 to HK$2.62 million (US$334,360) for urban or red cabs and HK$1.45 million for green or New Territories taxis as of May this year,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3355375/taxi-trade-fears-10-could-lose-cabs-drivers-gear-ride-hailing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3355375/taxi-trade-fears-10-could-lose-cabs-drivers-gear-ride-hailing?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 May 2026 01:00:14 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s cap of 10,000 vehicle permits for ride-hailing services is a “prudent and safe starting point” and the government will dynamically adjust the quota based on operational data, the city’s transport minister has said. The quota, revealed on Tuesday, prompted lawmakers to call for frequent reviews in the initial months after the scheme’s launch and swift government intervention if services proved insufficient. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Secretary for Transport and Logistics... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3355050/ride-hailing-cap-10000-prudent-start-hong-kong-transport-minister-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3355050/ride-hailing-cap-10000-prudent-start-hong-kong-transport-minister-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 May 2026 10:36:04 +0000 Oscar Liu,Edith Lin,Cannix Yau Oscar Liu,Edith Lin,Cannix Yau Hong Kong authorities have set a cap of 10,000 vehicles for ride-hailing service permits, marking a key step in their long-running effort to establish a regulatory framework, with applicants who have owned a private car for a certain period likely to be given priority. The news drew criticism from both ride-hailing giant Uber and the taxi trade. Uber Hong Kong warned that more than 20,000 people would lose a flexible earning opportunity, adding that a lottery-like quota allocation would put the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354927/hong-kong-set-ride-hailing-permit-quota-10000-under-regulatory-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354927/hong-kong-set-ride-hailing-permit-quota-10000-under-regulatory-push?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2026 11:48:47 +0000 Ambrose Li,Oscar Liu Ambrose Li,Oscar Liu Uber has described Hong Kong’s plan to cap the number of ride-hailing vehicle licences as “unusual”, as the city enters the final stage of shaping its regulatory regime for the service. Andrew Byrne, the company’s US-based global head of public policy, was in Hong Kong on Thursday, and urged authorities to consider existing demand when setting any cap. The proposed ceiling has sparked controversy. Some lawmakers suggest the government may issue between 10,000 and 15,000 licences, while taxi... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354366/uber-says-hong-kong-ride-hailing-cap-unusual-insists-it-here-stay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354366/uber-says-hong-kong-ride-hailing-cap-unusual-insists-it-here-stay?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 May 2026 09:16:52 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Issuing “several thousand” licences to ride-hailing vehicles under a proposed regulatory framework will be insufficient to meet demand, a Hong Kong government transport advisory body has said, calling for a quota that will not compromise existing services. Speaking after meeting government officials on Monday, Professor Wong Sze-chun, chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee, said members did not suggest specific numbers for ride-hailing platforms, vehicles or driver licences. “[A level of]... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354001/several-thousand-ride-hailing-licences-wont-cover-demand-advisory-panel-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3354001/several-thousand-ride-hailing-licences-wont-cover-demand-advisory-panel-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 May 2026 12:26:51 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu A 65-year-old taxi driver has been arrested after his vehicle collided with a pedestrian, who later died in hospital, marking Hong Kong’s second fatal crash involving an elderly cabby in less than a week. The pedestrian, 87, died after he was struck and trapped beneath the taxi while crossing the road under a footbridge in Tung Chung on Monday. The fatal accident came five days after police arrested a 70-year-old taxi driver who killed a woman, 39, and severely injured her dental clinic... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3353923/man-dies-after-being-hit-trapped-under-taxi-hong-kong-driver-arrested?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3353923/man-dies-after-being-hit-trapped-under-taxi-hong-kong-driver-arrested?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 May 2026 04:16:48 +0000 Mike Rowse Mike Rowse Hong Kong should not limit the number of vehicles licensed to provide ride-hailing services. In particular, every owner of an electric vehicle that complies with the regulations should, in principle, be able to obtain one on demand by paying the required fee. Normal market forces, together with fees and other licensing requirements, will be sufficient to strike the right balance. I have used ride-hailing services a lot recently. Knee replacement surgery has restricted my mobility, and I have a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353552/why-set-limit-hong-kongs-ride-hailing-services?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353552/why-set-limit-hong-kongs-ride-hailing-services?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 May 2026 21:30:05 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong authorities have delayed plans to lower the age threshold for mandatory medical certification for taxi and other commercial vehicle drivers, as well as require annual check-ups, with legislative proposals now expected in the second half of the year. “The government is carefully reviewing the views of various stakeholders to finalise the details and refine the legislative proposals,” a Transport Department spokesman said in response to the South China Morning Post on Thursday. He added... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353518/plans-lower-age-bar-cabby-health-checks-delayed-second-half-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3353518/plans-lower-age-bar-cabby-health-checks-delayed-second-half-year?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 06:06:41 +0000 Edith Lin,Jess Ma Edith Lin,Jess Ma Hong Kong police have arrested a 70-year-old taxi driver after he lost control of his cab and drove onto a pavement in Ngau Tau Kok, killing a woman and badly injuring another. A police spokesman said on Wednesday evening that the driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and detained for inquiry. The force earlier said the cabbie and his two passengers were also hurt when the taxi veered onto the pedestrian walkway at about 1.50pm that day on Choi Ha Road, near Chun Wah Road,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3353414/woman-dies-another-unconscious-taxi-driven-man-70s-crashes-planter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3353414/woman-dies-another-unconscious-taxi-driven-man-70s-crashes-planter?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 08:10:19 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. While ride-hailing regulation may not be dominating headlines, I feel compelled to offer my perspective before these rules are finalised – especially as the government’s transport blueprint emphasises people-first transport. I have been a ride-hailing driver for three years. As a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3352607/rigid-quotas-will-undercut-hong-kongs-ride-hailing-service-providers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3352607/rigid-quotas-will-undercut-hong-kongs-ride-hailing-service-providers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2026 03:30:05 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong police have arrested a taxi driver for dangerous driving on the first of the five-day mainland Chinese Labour Day “golden week” holiday, after he was caught reaching speeds of 160km/h (99.4mph) and completing a 42km ride in just half an hour. Police took enforcement action against the 31-year-old driver on Friday after intelligence officers found the arrestee, who mainly drives around Sai Kung, had frequently uploaded videos of dangerous driving online. “Officers went undercover as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3352170/hong-kong-taxi-driver-arrested-dangerous-driving-hitting-speeds-160km/h?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3352170/hong-kong-taxi-driver-arrested-dangerous-driving-hitting-speeds-160km/h?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 11:46:35 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Some passengers have been unable to use any e-payment options in Hong Kong taxis, with drivers blaming faulty machines or battery problems, but customers view these as excuses because the “cash is king” mentality persists. Experts said many taxi drivers still held a deep-seated fear of having a traceable income record, which could lead to taxation or the loss of eligibility for public housing. Lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung told the South China Morning Post that many passengers had complained to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350532/faulty-devices-low-battery-some-taxi-drivers-cook-excuses-avoid-e-payments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3350532/faulty-devices-low-battery-some-taxi-drivers-cook-excuses-avoid-e-payments?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:00:13 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying The developer of Hong Kong’s Discovery Bay is considering extending its trial period and limiting operating hours for cabbies to gain full access to the resort-style seaside community amid opposition from some residents. The Islands District Council’s Traffic and Transport Committee held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the paper presented by Hong Kong Resort Company in the presence of more than 20 residents who held differing views on the plan. Before the meeting, supporters and opponents of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350080/discovery-bay-developer-eyes-longer-taxi-trial-amid-safety-fears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3350080/discovery-bay-developer-eyes-longer-taxi-trial-amid-safety-fears?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:15:16 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong police have arrested a 31-year-old taxi driver who demanded a “highway toll” of about HK$85 (US$11) from officers posing as passengers during a crackdown on illegal behaviour. The force said on Tuesday that officers conducted an operation to crack down on taxi violations on Lantau Island the previous day. Officers posing as passengers took a taxi from Hong Kong Disneyland Resort to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge checkpoint. When they arrived, the driver demanded about HK$85 as a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3349219/taxi-driver-arrested-demanding-hk85-highway-toll-undercover-officers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3349219/taxi-driver-arrested-demanding-hk85-highway-toll-undercover-officers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:35:03 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu More than 40,000 Hong Kong taxi drivers have adopted major electronic payment platforms AlipayHK and WeChat Pay HK, easing a protracted pain point for mainland Chinese visitors who are expected to arrive in droves during the coming Ching Ming Festival break. AlipayHK, a subsidiary of Ant International, an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, which owns the South China Morning Post, said on Thursday that its e-payment system was available to 47,000 taxi drivers. WeChat Pay HK said more than 40,000... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348828/40000-taxi-drivers-sign-e-payment-systems-new-rules-come-force?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348828/40000-taxi-drivers-sign-e-payment-systems-new-rules-come-force?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:12:07 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Some Hong Kong taxi drivers have yet to install e-payment options even after the city’s mandatory electronic payment choices for taxis came into effect, highlighting a digital divide challenge facing cabbies, the South China Morning Post has observed. Under the Transport Department rule that came into effect on Wednesday, all drivers must offer passengers at least a QR code option and an alternative e-payment method. The initiative aimed to elevate the quality of taxi services by leveraging... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348627/some-hong-kong-taxi-drivers-unprepared-new-e-payments-rule-takes-effect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348627/some-hong-kong-taxi-drivers-unprepared-new-e-payments-rule-takes-effect?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:47:21 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu More than 47,000 taxi drivers have adopted the commercial version of the Octopus app or equipped their cabs with mobile card readers ahead of new electronic payment regulations taking effect in Hong Kong on Wednesday, transport authorities have said. The new measures require cab drivers to provide at least two e-payment options, as part of a broader government push to modernise the industry’s image and service quality. The Transport Department on Tuesday said three dedicated service stations at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348480/over-47000-cabbies-adopt-octopus-card-readers-ahead-e-payment-regulations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3348480/over-47000-cabbies-adopt-octopus-card-readers-ahead-e-payment-regulations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:05:53 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft Some Discovery Bay residents have expressed frustration over a proposal to allow unrestricted taxi access to the seaside resort-like neighbourhood in Hong Kong, with a petition calling for greater public consultation garnering more than 1,100 signatures. In a reply to the South China Morning Post on Saturday, the Transport Department also confirmed it had received a taxi proposal from Discovery Bay’s management company, as well as “different views” from residents. Taxis have had limited access... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347439/plan-full-taxi-access-discovery-bay-sparks-anger-among-some-residents?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347439/plan-full-taxi-access-discovery-bay-sparks-anger-among-some-residents?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 12:50:36 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial A quiet revolution is sweeping the Hong Kong taxi industry. It will become official on April 1, when the replacement of cash-only settlement of fares with electronic payment options will be mandatory. The leap into the 21st century is overdue. The industry has shot itself in the foot with resistance to technology that has been bad for business, when it is already battling a perception of poor service. That said, the change is a landmark of its kind when it comes to overcoming technophobia. About... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3346708/digital-revolution-can-revive-hong-kong-taxi-industrys-image?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3346708/digital-revolution-can-revive-hong-kong-taxi-industrys-image?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong cabbies are counting down to the end of the “keep the change” tradition as the industry prepares for a mandatory shift from cash-only payments to electronic settlements. In the weeks leading up to April 1, taxi drivers are racing to install e-payment tools, while service providers say 90 per cent of the cabbies have already adopted such solutions. Chau Kwok-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, said the transition to digital payments meant cabbies... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3345811/keep-change-no-more-hong-kong-taxi-drivers-prepare-shift-e-payments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3345811/keep-change-no-more-hong-kong-taxi-drivers-prepare-shift-e-payments?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:30:11 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung More than 40,000 Hong Kong taxi drivers have registered to accept Octopus payments, ahead of an electronic payment mandate that will take effect next month, with a sector representative urging authorities to exercise discretion during the initial phase of the roll-out. On April 1, all cabbies will be required to offer at least two electronic payment options to passengers as part of a broader plan to enhance the quality and image of taxi services. Hong Kong has about 46,000 active taxi drivers,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3345030/more-40000-hong-kong-cabbies-register-accept-octopus-payment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3345030/more-40000-hong-kong-cabbies-register-accept-octopus-payment?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 11:11:37 +0000 Quentin Parker Quentin Parker Hong Kong sees itself as a modern, well-governed, global city that moves with the times. On finance, education, legal services and logistics, that self-image holds. But when considering the green transition, particularly transport electrification, the gap between rhetoric and reality is increasingly hard to ignore. Nowhere is this more evident than in electrifying the taxi fleet, where the quarter-century timeline floated bears little resemblance to what is standard practice in neighbouring... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3344649/high-price-hong-kongs-slow-switch-electric-buses-and-taxis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3344649/high-price-hong-kongs-slow-switch-electric-buses-and-taxis?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 01:30:09 +0000