Fare exchange: Transport Advisory Committee Chairman Teresa Cheng calls on the public and the taxi trade to express their views.

The Transport Advisory Committee is seeking views on the operation mode and quality of the taxi services in Hong Kong.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, committee chairman Teresa Cheng said the consultation aims to identify feasible and appropriate improvement measures to broaden the taxi trade's business opportunities, and facilitate the provision of competitive taxi services that meet passengers' needs.

The consultation document presents some questions for inviting views regarding the mode of taxi charging and services as well as service quality:

* Are you satisfied with the existing uniform mode of charging based on travelling mileage, waiting time and other additional services provided?

* What kind of changes or improvements can be made?

* What are your views on fare bargaining by passengers?

* Apart from fare-charging mechanism, are you satisfied with the existing mode of taxi services in Hong Kong?

* Do you want to see changes or improvements through the introduction of alternative modes of taxi services, for example, different vehicle types such as premier taxis, and fixed-fare taxi services for different regions or for specific locations and routes, to provide more choices for passengers?

* Are you satisfied with the quality of taxi services in Hong Kong? In which areas do you think improvement is needed?

Overseas experiences

The paper also contains reference materials on taxi services of Singapore, Tokyo, London and New York, ranging from their modes of operation and charging to measures to enhance service quality.

In some cities, operators set taxi fares rather than having the government regulate them. The operators may revise the fares at any time, but they have to submit the new fares to the government for record purposes before the effective dates and broadcast the information to the public. Fares the operators charge cannot exceed the level specified in the government record.

Other places' governments prescribe the upper limits of the flagfall fare and incremental charges. Taxi operators must seek government approval if they want to charge at a level below the ceiling or introduce other modes of charging. They must charge at the level approved by the government. If the operators wish to change their own fares, they may also seek approval from the government for fare revision at any time.

"At this stage the TAC will not make any subjective judgment or advocate any option to change the existing taxi operation. We will analyse views received from the trade and the public before formulating options for further consultation with them," Ms Cheng said.

Taxi fares

She emphasised the consultation does not mean that taxi fares will necessarily be reduced or increased. 

"Since any changes to the present levels of charges, mode of service and legislation will affect the trade and the public, the TAC will not jump to any conclusion before exchanging views with the trade and the public."

Ms Cheung expects the review to be completed in the second half of 2008 and the committee will then put forward its recommendations to the Government.