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Hong Kong taxis

Hong Kong taxis
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hong Kong taxis. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
When launched in July, the new fleets started with about 1,000 premium taxis. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong transport

Miles to go: Hong Kong’s premium taxi roll-out crawls to a third of 3,500 target

Just 1,300 premium taxis are in service as industry players blame unattractive earnings, lack of charging facilities and ride-hailing competition for slow roll-out.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

5 cabbies arrested over exploiting ‘free ride’ policy for Hong Kong fire victims

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong auxiliary policeman charged over alleged indecent act in taxi

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong taxi driver, 82, acquitted of using foul language at teenage customer

Deputy Magistrate Christine Leung rules that complainant was an unreliable witness, with logical fallacies in his testimony.

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A court has acquitted an elderly driver of using foul language on a passenger. Photo: Jelly Tse
Crime in Hong Kong

Robbery suspect flees Hong Kong hospital barefoot but is caught after taxi rides

Suspect escapes police custody at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Jordan but is caught hours later in Mong Kok.

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Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong taxi driver gets 2 years’ jail over collision that killed cyclist, 17

Lau Chor-hi, 70, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death over the crash that killed student Wong Ho-chun in July 2024.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong taxi driver arrested over death of elderly woman in road accident

Cabby, 61, held on suspicion of dangerous driving after 81-year-old dies in hospital from injuries.

The woman, 81, was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam, but died from injuries sustained in the collision. Photo: Winson Wong
Hong Kong transport

Uber urges Hong Kong to adopt ‘flexible’ driver quota based on service metrics

Ride-hailing firm executive says flexible, dynamic quota system could ensure accurate reflection, adjustment of market based on rider demand.

Hong Kong economy

Taxi industry shifts focus to fair play after Hong Kong passes ride-hailing bill

Industry leaders demand meeting with transport officials, warn that government’s franchised fleet initiative may be undermined.

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Hong Kong transport

Ride-hailing services set to be licensed in Hong Kong by last quarter of 2026

Lawmakers pass Road Traffic Amendment Bill, but transport minister admits many details still need to be worked out.

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Lawmakers pass the bill establishing a regulatory framework for the ride-hailing industry. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong transport

Editorial | Ride-hailing regulation shows Hong Kong is moving in the right direction

The city needs to facilitate the coexistence of taxis and licensed ride-hailing rather than stifling the industries.

The latest proposal to extend a ride-hailing vehicle’s maximum age from seven to 12 years, without relaxing the focus on safety, is a sensible measure. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong society

Letters | Limiting phones on Hong Kong dashboards is the safest way forward

Readers discuss distractions while driving, battery charging facilities, and lawyers branching out into other jurisdictions.

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong to make written taxi driver test easier as technology changes job

Candidates will have to answer fewer questions on prominent locations and route identification.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong U-turns on taxi restrictions at popular Sai Kung tourist spot: DAB party

Authorities had initially planned on barring taxis from entering road leading to High Island Reservoir to reduce rush hour traffic.

Visitors at the High Island Reservoir. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong to curb illegal ride-hailing by tying permits to car owners: minister

Transport chief Mable Chan says measures under proposed regulatory framework will also prevent speculative trading of licences.

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Authorities recently unveiled a new proposal for regulating the ride-hailing industry in Hong Kong. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong transport

Proposed Hong Kong ride-hailing rules cover licensing, vehicle age and insurance

Policy paper submitted to lawmakers also outlines a series of measures to respond to the taxi industry’s concerns.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong auxiliary policeman arrested for alleged indecency while driving cab

Man, 57, arrested on suspicion of outraging public decency after a female passenger alerted police officers at her destination.

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Hong Kong police

Hong Kong authorities search 130 premises, arrest 19 in crackdown on illegal work

Most cases linked to catering sector, while police make further arrests over syndicate using mainland Chinese drivers to run illegal ride-hailing services.

Immigration Department staff take away a suspect. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong transport

Taxi drivers encouraged to embrace e-payments with Hong Kong start-up Dash system

Drivers offered zero-commission integrated system as pressure builds to adopt digital payments as part of new government regulations.

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Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong police arrest 1, seek 3 others over ride-hailing fraud syndicate ties

Man, 53, suspected of providing personal information used to open accounts for unqualified drivers, while three others wanted over case.

Accidents and personal safety

Letters | Eyesight tests for Hong Kong drivers seriously need to be updated

Readers discuss comprehensive vision exams for Hong Kong drivers, Donald Trump’s diversionary tactics, and a 13-year-old’s death in Malaysia.

Taxis and other vehicles drive along a waterlogged Gloucester Road in Wan Chai district on August 5. Hong Kong currently requires drivers “to read at a distance of 23m in good daylight a vehicle number plate”. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong police probe case of ride-hailing driver working ‘without ID card’

Passenger films interaction with Mandarin-speaking driver who admits to not holding a Hong Kong ID card.

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A screenshot from the passenger’s video. Immigration authorities have said they are worried about the trend of illegal employment. Photo: Threads/Terrylky1127
Hong Kong transport

Health checks on older Hong Kong taxi drivers should be ‘targeted’: experts

Industry leaders say compulsory screenings should consider cabbies’ cognitive abilities and medications, with clearer guidelines needed.

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Hong Kong transport

Opinion | Stricter health checks for Hong Kong taxi drivers should just be a start

In light of a fatal accident involving an 80-year-old driver, the momentum of reform of local transport must not end at more medical assessments.

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Hong Kong transport

Stricter fitness checks for Hong Kong taxi drivers on way

Proposal for more stringent tests, including hearing and eyesight, comes after 80-year-old taxi driver hit and killed a Filipino tourist.

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An 80-year-old taxi driver crashed his vehicle into a wall at Nina Hotel, Tsuen Wan West, killing a Filipino tourist in the process. Photo: handout
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Fatal crash underscores need for rigorous tests for older taxi drivers

Hong Kong must strike a balance between protecting the rights of elderly cabbies and guaranteeing safety for riders and pedestrians.

The scene of the crash near Nina Hotel in Tsuen Wan, where a taxi ploughed into a Filipino tourist. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong taxi trade wants subsidised health checks amid calls for tougher rules

Public calls for annual checks after spate of crashes involving older drivers, but taxi trade warns that move could prompt more cabbies to quit.

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Hong Kong property

Letters | Forget long-term leases. Here’s how Hong Kong can reinvent retail

Readers discuss the future of retail, the city’s red taxis, and how to respond to Trump’s disruption.

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