'Existing Taxis Can Give Premium Services Too'

More than 40 taxi associations on Tuesday blasted the government's move to introduce a premium service, and said the existing taxis can offer such upgraded services if the authorities aid them.

The government is tabling a bill in Legco on Wednesday with the aim of floating a tender to add 600 premium taxis onto the streets.

The associations said the trade could provide at least 1,200 premium taxis, introduce online taxi-hailing services, and organise training for their drivers, if the government is willing to offer suitable incentives.

They admitted that there were some "black sheep" in the trade, but said they have been improving services over the years.

The groups said a survey conducted by the Hang Seng University showed that 72 percent of respondents were happy with taxi services in the fourth quarter of last year, up 8 percent from the same period a year before.

The trade also said that instead of cracking down on illegal car-hailing services, the government has been turning a blind-eye to the problem.

Several pro-establishment lawmakers, including Junius Ho, the transport sector's Frankie Yick, tourism sector representative Yiu Sze-wing, the DAB's Ann Chiang and Business and Professionals Alliance legislator Lo Wai-kwok were also present at the press conference to support the trade.

The lawmakers said they can't see how the new government plan will benefit the existing taxi trade or passengers.