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Wednesday, Oct 04, 2023
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Taxi industry defends further fare raise proposal citing high inflation
A total of 25 groups in the taxi services industry seek a further increase in taxi fares, including a HK$5 increase in flagfall price for urban services and HK$2.5 for New Territories services, as well as the incremental charge of 20 cents.
The groups that raised the proposal included Hong Kong Taxi Owners' Association Limited, Taxi Drivers & Operators Association, and The Association For Taxi Industry Development. They cite the suggestion was due to rising fuel costs and operating plight under the Covid epidemic.
"We are facing a soaring operating cost, and the former proposal may not be satisfactory for driver demand," said Wong Po-keung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Owners' Association Limited.
He added that the price rise is also out of the objection to appeal for more fresh blood to join the industry and improve the service quality of driver fleets.
The proposal differs from other representatives from the industry suggested earlier, with taxi flagfall to be raised by HK$6, or two rises of HK$3 each in 2023 and 2024.
The minimum fare in urban taxis in Hong Kong is HK$27 currently, with green New Territories taxis seeing a HK$23.5 charge and blue Lantau taxis at HK$22.
The last price raise was in July this year, with the flagfall charge for taxis by HK$3, and the incremental charge by 10 to 20 cents.
"We are facing a soaring operating cost, and the former proposal may not be satisfactory for driver demand," said Wong Po-keung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Owners' Association Limited.
He added that the price rise is also out of the objection to appeal for more fresh blood to join the industry and improve the service quality of driver fleets.
The proposal differs from other representatives from the industry suggested earlier, with taxi flagfall to be raised by HK$6, or two rises of HK$3 each in 2023 and 2024.
The minimum fare in urban taxis in Hong Kong is HK$27 currently, with green New Territories taxis seeing a HK$23.5 charge and blue Lantau taxis at HK$22.
The last price raise was in July this year, with the flagfall charge for taxis by HK$3, and the incremental charge by 10 to 20 cents.
