On 3 March, Government unveiled five new taxi fleets which will revolutionize taxi services in Hong Kong. These new taxi fleets will soon commence operation with a fleet of over 3,500 taxis or nearly 20% of the total number of taxis in Hong Kong. 

Passengers will be served with electric taxis, wheelchair-accessible taxis or premium taxis. All fleets are equipped with online hailing, customer service hotline and driver monitoring system. 

On a daily basis, 11.5 million trips are made on Hong Kong’s public transport system, 7.7% of these daily commuter trips are made on taxis. Taxis provide door-to-door service for those who look for directness, convenience and comfortable service. People could be driving less, willing to give up their personal cars if there is an alternative transport mode which meets their expectations. 

There are mixed feelings among commuters on the current taxi services. Would these new taxi fleets under the management of licensed taxi fleet companies be able to satisfy the new mobility needs of commuters. To what extent could modern technology help to match demand and supply and how would ordinary taxis be encouraged to switch for passenger convenience would be addressed by our speakers.