Have you splurged for a cab while desperately late for an appointment, only to end up sitting in a traffic jam? The gaps between each mocking “beep” of the taximeter almost feel like they’re getting shorter… but that’s just your disorganised self freaking out about being tardy.
However, the Transport Department has confirmed that it’s received an application for taxis to have more frequent (and costlier) fare jumps, increased starting fares, and increased luggage costs a reality. Fun.
Under the proposal, the time between every fare increase would be shortened from 60 seconds to 45, while various prices would be raised according to the type of taxi. Here’s the breakdown, according to Apple Daily:
For red urban taxis, starting fares would be raised from HKD22 to HKD24, the cost for each fare jump for the first two to nine kilometres would be increased from HKD1.6 to HKD1.8, and the price for every subsequent jump would be raised from HKD1 to HKD1.2. Luggage prices would be raised from HKD5 to HKD6, while the price for each animal or bird remains at HKD5.
For green New Territories taxis, starting fares would be raised from HKD18.5 to HKD21, while the fare jumps for the first two to eight kilometres would be increased from HKD1.4 to HKD1.6. Every subsequent fare jump would be raised from HKD1 to HKD1.2, and luggage and animal prices would be the same as urban taxis.
For blue Lantau Island taxis, starting fares would be raised from HKD17 to HKD21, while the jumps for the first two to 20 kilometres would be increased from HKD1.4 to HKD1.6 Every subsequent fare jump would be raised from HKD1.2 to HKD1.4. Each item of luggage, and each animal or bird would cost HKD6.
A spokesperson for the Transport Department told the SCMP that the proposal would be handled “according to procedure”. A joint statement from 29 urban taxi groups and 18 New Territories taxi groups say such increases are necessary to recoup the losses from worsening congestion.
Spokesman for the Coalition to Monitor Public Transport and Utilities Richard Tsoi said the proposal was “unreasonable”, and that the government should not make changes hastily.
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