The Transport Department (TD) and the Committee on Taxi Service Quality (CTSQ) held a promulgation event at the TD headquarters on July 27 2018 to launch the new "Hong Kong Taxi Service Standard" and "Hong Kong Taxi Service Guidelines". The TD and the CTSQ also invited taxi trade representatives to join the event to promote the new service standard and guidelines and to call for their support and compliance with them.

      Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Transport, Ms Mable Chan, said that the CTSQ, established in early January 2018 to enhance the service quality of some 18 000 existing taxis, has already made good progress in its work. It has proposed a series of measures, which include launching the new "Hong Kong Taxi Service Standard" and "Hong Kong Taxi Service Guidelines", enhancing training courses on in-service taxi drivers’ service quality in phases at the end of 2018, reviewing the existing sanctions for various taxi malpractices and introducing measures to commend taxi drivers for their quality services.

      The TD and the CTSQ will continue to improve the existing mechanism for handling complaints about taxi services, and encourage the trade to leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency and service quality, such as setting up or integrating taxi hailing application platforms. Also, the TD is drafting guidelines on the installation of CCTV systems in taxi compartments on a voluntary basis for the trade's reference. Ms Chan appealed to the taxi trade to work together and forge ahead with efforts to enhance taxi service quality, and to improve the image of the taxi trade with a view to providing passengers with satisfactory and pleasant journeys.

      The "Hong Kong Taxi Service Standard" and "Hong Kong Taxi Service Guidelines" are complementary. The TD hopes that the new standard and guidelines give clearer information to taxi drivers, taxi owners, agents and passengers so as to enhance the standard of taxi service.

      The press release on the promulgation event of the "Hong Kong Taxi Service Standard" and "Hong Kong Taxi Service Guidelines" is available at the website below:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201807/27/P2018072700612.htm.