Field notes

Long road to better taxi service in Hong Kong

The government has proposed a new demerit system, over and above current penalties, to rein in errant cabbies.

In Hong Kong, taxi drivers rent their vehicles from operators who have paid exorbitant sums for taxi licences. These licences, which can be bought or sold in the market freely, can each cost as much as HK$7 million (S$1.2 million), enough to buy a ti
In Hong Kong, taxi drivers rent their vehicles from operators who have paid exorbitant sums for taxi licences. These licences, which can be bought or sold in the market freely, can each cost as much as HK$7 million (S$1.2 million), enough to buy a tiny new flat. ST PHOTO: CLAIRE HUANG
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Overcharge, strike one. Refuse to pick up fare, strike two. No loose change for passengers, another strike. But the list of strikes doesn't end there for the city's 40,000 taxi drivers.

In a refreshing approach to years of gridlock when it comes to improving taxi services, the government has proposed a new demerit point system.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 14, 2018, with the headline Long road to better taxi service in Hong Kong. Subscribe