CE says Hong Kong taxi drivers hold certain privileges
發佈日期: 2025-06-10 21:28
TVB News
Chief Executive John Lee today said taxi drivers are given special rights to operate in the city amid competition from ride hailing companies.
It comes after the taxi industry asked authorities to buy back taxi licences at 5 million dollars each.
Urban taxi licence prices have plunged more than 60 percent, averaging 2.75 million dollars over the past year, while New Territories licence have averaged around 2 million dollars.
Some taxi industry representatives have called for the government to repurchase licences at 5 million dollars each, saying that their business is at risk because of online car-hailing services.
In response, Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said drivers in possession of taxi licences hold certain privileges, including the right to pick up passengers on the street and selected areas.
"If we are using public money, we need to be extremely cautious," said Lee. "The public are not happy with the taxi services. There are different views and comments, so the taxi trade must take those seriously."
The CE said online hailing platforms are a global trend that cannot be reversed. He said authorities will set up a regulatory framework to state specifically what type of point-to-point passenger carrying services will be seen as legal.
Chow Kwok-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, said the right of allowing drivers to pick up passengers anywhere cannot be considered a privilege, but a convenience to the public.
Chow says taxi drivers need to bear a number of operational responsibilities, including complaints and the risk of being injured in traffic accidents. He urges the government to listen to more voices from the industry.
