Taxi operators seek to raise urban and NT flagfall fares by HK$5 and HK$4.5 respectively

The taxi industry on Wednesday submitted a fare increase proposal to the Transport Department, seeking to raise the flagfall price of urban taxis by HK$5 to HK$32, as well as upping the flagfall price of green New Territories taxis by HK$4.5 to HK$28.

The proposal came only half a year since the taxi fares were raised in July last year, with the flagfall price of urban taxis now standing at HK$27, while green New Territories cabs at HK$23.5 and blue Lantau taxis HK$22.

Yuen, a representative of New Territories cabbies, said although the flagfall fares have gone up last year, the increase is still unable to compensate for the rising costs on fuel and insurance.

He noted their income has not resumed to normal levels due to the Covid epidemic, while the mainland borders were yet fully opened.

The fare increase could also retain drivers and attract new blood to the industry, Yuen added.

Meanwhile, taxi owners association chairman Wong Po-keung pointed out that taxi drivers were self-employed with no benefits, and their income was lower than other road transportation drivers by nearly 30 percent.

Wong also said the cabbies are paying more for fuel as the government is no longer providing a fuel subsidy for them this year.
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