New HK$30 Taxi Rate Could Come In Few Months

The government has submitted the taxi trade's bid to raise minimum fares in urban areas to HK$30 to the Legislative Council, saying the new rates could be implemented by the second half of this year.

The starting fare for urban taxis is currently HK$24.

The government is seeking lawmakers' views on the proposals submitted by the taxi sector last September, which could also see the fare for every 200 metres, after the first two kilometres, jump HK$0.20 to HK$1.90.

Under the proposal, the starting fare for New Territories taxis could go up to HK$26.50 from HK$20.50.

In the paper, the Carrie Lam administration said it will consider a number of factors, such as changes in taxis' operating costs and public views, before arriving at a final decision.

Taxi fares were last raised in April 2017.

The government said it is also planning to introduce a bill to increase penalties for dodgy taxi drivers within this legislative year.

The officials had floated the idea last May and are looking at several measures, including a penalty points system that could see offenders having their licence suspended.