Speech by Dr. Dorothy Chan JP,
Acting Commissioner for Transport
Chairman Lam, guests of honour and friends from the
taxi trade:
I
take much pleasure to be here today to officiate at
the launching ceremony of the Taxi Driver Commendation
Scheme.
As
we all know, taxis play an important and unique role
in the transport system of Hong Kong, providing point-to-point
services for locals and tourists alike. The service
delivery of taxi drivers is critical to taxi passengers'
travel experience and satisfaction. In order to meet
passengers' expectations for high quality services
and to enhance Hong Kong's image as a world-class
cosmopolitan city, the taxi trade should strive for
continuous improvements.
In
the past year, Transport Department worked jointly
with the Quality Taxi Services Steering Committee
and taxi associations to organize and implement various
quality taxi service schemes. We have published newsletters
for the taxi trade, launched a Workplace English and
Putonghua self-learning programme, encouraged the
trade to use talking taximeter and installed Braille
and tactile taxi registration number plates in taxi
compartments to facilitate taxi passengers with visual
impairments. In addition, we have relaxed a number
of clearways restrictions as well as designated taxi
drop-off points and taxi pick-up and drop-off points
to strengthen the role of taxis in providing point-to-point
transport services.
To
further improve taxi service quality, Transport Department
has recently installed electronic LED passenger information
display panel at the taxi stand at Star Ferry Pier
in Edinburg Place, Central to provide passengers and
taxi drivers with taxi services information and to
promote taxi services standards. The objective of
these projects is clear, that is, to further enhance
taxi service quality to meet the rising expectations
of passengers.
At
present, there are 12 passengers choosing to use taxi
services in every 100 public transport passengers.
This proves the popularity of taxi services. We have
reasons to believe that most of the 40,000 taxi drivers
duly pay respect to their job. Many of them have received
appreciation from taxi passengers because of their
good conduct and quality service.
In
so far, Transport Department has given vote of appreciation
to 17 quality taxi drivers who assisted passengers
proactively; provided tourists with quality service;
returned money and property found to passengers in
the "Good Drivers & Good Deeds" column of the taxi
newsletter. Such spirits of professionalism, integrity
and good customer service are worth praising.
Transport
Department's objective of launching the Taxi Driver
Commendation Scheme is to set up a regular channel
for passengers to commend their drivers for their
quality service and good conduct. Under this scheme,
taxi passengers can commend quality taxi drivers through
a number of specified participating organization and
societies, e.g. The Hong Kong Police Force, Transport
Complaint Unit, Consumer Council, Hong Kong Tourism
Board, Airport Authority Hong Kong and organizations
representing people with disabilities. We believe,
through the "Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme", the
relationship between the taxi drivers and passengers
can be further enhanced.
Like
other trades in the service sector, the taxi trade
should keep on improving itself in order to make prosperous
developments. Stepping into the 21st century, taxi
drivers should possess knowledge, good driving skill
and safe driving habits, together with the aspiration
of providing quality service.
I
look forward to working closely with Quality Taxi
Services Steering Committee and the taxi trade to
improve the quality of taxi services in Hong Kong.
Thank
you.
|