Hong Kong urged to speed up installation of CCTV cameras in taxis after penalty system launch

Hong Kong should speed up the installation of a central cloud-based camera system in taxis to help drivers handle passenger complaints more fairly and effectively, an industry leader has said after a penalty scheme for cabbies was launched.

Ng Kwan-sing, permanent president of the Taxi Dealers and Owners Association, made his call on Monday as the demerit point system aimed at ensuring the city’s taxi drivers acted professionally took effect the previous day.

“As the demerit point system has been implemented, there is an urge to launch the CCTV system as soon as possible,” Ng told a radio show. “This central CCTV platform can increase confidence in the operation for both drivers and passengers.”

Ng, also the vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Council, said that Hong Kong’s neighbouring city Macau had already installed such a system in their taxis, a move he said could put both drivers and passengers at ease after the introduction of the point system.

Under the system, taxi drivers will be given demerit points for 11 types of behaviour including overcharging and refusing fares. They could be disqualified from driving cabs if they accumulate too many points within a certain time frame.

Ng said some drivers were worried that some passengers might abuse the system and make ill-intentioned complaints.