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Hong Kong taxi fares could go up by 17% if industry proposal accepted by authorities, including a HK$5 jump to HK$32 for urban flag-fall charge
- Fare increases proposed for taxis serving urban areas, the New Territories and Lantau Island
- Trade suggests a flag-fall charge increase of HK$4.50 for green cabs in the New Territories and HK$6 for Lantau Island blue taxis
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Hong Kong authorities are considering whether to give the green light to a taxi industry request for a fare increase of up to almost 17 per cent, including a jump in the flag-fall rate for red cabs in urban areas from HK$27 (US$3.45) to HK$32, amid pledges to improve the standard of service from cabbies.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau said on Monday that it would discuss the proposal with lawmakers and the Transport Advisory Committee before it made recommendations to the Executive Council, the city’s key decision-making body.
A paper submitted to the legislature said the taxi industry proposed a fare increase last March, designed to cover the three types of taxis operating in urban areas, the New Territories, and on Lantau Island.
It suggested a HK$5 increase for the flag-fall rate for red cabs in urban areas to HK$32, a HK$4.50 rise for green taxis in the New Territories and HK$6 for blue ones on Lantau Island – a uniform rate of HK$28.
The industry also suggested an increase in the incremental charge for the first-tier distance travelled after the flag fall to HK$2.10 for red taxis, HK$1.90 for green cabs and HK$1.80 for blue ones, a range between 10 and 20 HK cents.
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