The Transport Advisory Committee said on Tuesday that the taxi fare hike, proposed by the taxi industry, would not be beyond the public’s ability to pay, as the taxi is the only means of transportation that people can rely on in emergencies.
The fare increase plan, which includes fare hikes of up to 17 percent, was discussed by the Legislative Council’s Panel on Transportation on Friday and passed on to the committee for consideration on Tuesday.
The public’s acceptance of the plan must be taken into consideration, and the fare hike would not be “too high”, committee Chairman Stephen Cheung Yan-Leung said after discussing the plan with government officials
For red urban taxis, the industry proposed raising the flagfall charge from HK$27 ($3.45) to HK$32. For the green New Territories taxis and the blue Lantau taxis, it has proposed raising charges to HK$28, from HK$23.5 and HK$22 respectively. The plan also proposes to add fees for tag-on luggage, pets and birds.
The public’s acceptance of the plan must be taken into consideration, and the fare hike would not be “too high”, committee Chairman Stephen Cheung Yan-Leung said after discussing the plan with government officials on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking at a news conference, Cheung said the committee has considered and balanced all factors regarding the plan, including the financial viability of taxi operations and public acceptability.
Although taxis are not as frequently used as buses and the MTR railway are, they are the only mean of transportation people can count on when emergencies arise, Cheung said.
He stressed that the incomes of taxi owners and drivers are also critical factors that should be considered when reviewing the plan.
The committee will submit its advice to the government for a final consideration by the Executive Council.
