Taxi drivers are seeking new ways to boost their revenue through advertising amid the economic downturn.
More than 18,000 taxis serve about one million passengers a day. The Taxi Associations' Federation, which has 5,000 members, is in negotiations for advertising with more shops, restaurants and hotels.
Federation spokesman Ng Kwok-hung said the slump had made people more reluctant to take cabs.
'More people opt for buses or the MTR. The opening of more railways in the New Territories such as at Ma On Shan and Sha Tin will further threaten our business. We need to find new sources of revenue,' he said.
Since last year, the federation has linked up with more than 50 shops and restaurants to offer entertainment and meal discounts to passengers, printed on the back of their fare receipts.
'We are lining up more companies for the programme. We do not think passengers will take more taxis because of the coupons but we believe that if restaurants and entertainment businesses have better business, taxi drivers will have better business too,' Mr Ng said.
