Taxis of Hong Kong

Much the same as motor cars nowadays, private chairs existed and were an important marker of a person's status.

[4] Rickshaws competed with sedan chairs for customers depending on their budget, haste, or terrain to be negotiated.

The rickshaw was more rapid, but was not suited to climbing the steep terrain of Hong Kong Island.

[4] Before Hong Kong's Peak Tram went into service in 1888, wealthy residents of The Peak were carried on sedan chairs by coolies up the steep paths to their residence, including former Governor Sir Richard MacDonnell's summer home, where they could take advantage of the cooler climate.

Thus, a dying breed of only a few old men still ply their trade at the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, mainly for tourists.

The last sedan chair was reportedly abandoned in 1965,[4] and since the relocation of the Central Star Ferry pier at the end of 2006 the rickshaws have disappeared.

When the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began in December of the same year, he suspended his transport operation.

Prior to 1974, the livery of taxis in Hong Kong depended on colours chosen by the licensees, although the Transport Department had noted considerable confusion for passengers caused by the proliferation of colours and mingling with private vehicles, and by December 1969 had started considering a uniform appearance for licensed taxis.

From then onwards, "ordinary" (red) taxis would be allowed to continue to operate in the New Territories as well as Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, while the New Territories taxis – silver for the upper half and green for the lower half – would be forbidden from venturing into urban areas.

These factors shape Hong Kong's current taxi licence system with characteristics different from other cities or countries.

[13] The red taxis have the highest fares among all, and serve all areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories.

A taxi will sometimes appear with its roof light on, but with the 'For Hire' flag covered by an 'Out of Service' sign; this means they are currently travelling to pick up passengers that have booked a ride through electronic or telephone booking, or are attempting to catch a fare back across the harbour tunnel.

Source: Transport Department[17] The light blue taxis run in most parts of Lantau Island and Chek Lap Kok, except most of Discovery Bay, thus they are restricted to a small area.

The council's proposal that drivers for e-hailing services need only three years of experience, without similar test requirements, was, in their opinion, much too lax.

But the council also recommends that all e-hailing drivers undergo background security checks, have the necessary language skills and are sufficiently healthy before they are considered suitable candidates.

As taxis – whether traditional operators or the e-hailing kind – are part of the public transport system, it is only natural that their fares should be regulated.

[18] In July 2024, the government has announced that it will greatly consider regulating online ride-hailing services by the end of 2025[19] Historically, Standard, DeSoto Deluxe, Morris Oxford, Ford Popular, Hillman Minx, Austin 8, Austin Cambridge, Mercedes W120 Ponton, Ford Anglia, Vauxhall Cresta and Vauxhall Velox were used up to the 1960s.

All taxis bear a semi-circular green plate on the front grille, and at the back of the vehicle indicating the number of seats available.

Throughout history, most Hong Kong taxis have been 4-door saloons with bench seats in the front, thus allowing it to carry up to five passengers (driver excluded).

Today, almost all taxis in Hong Kong are XS10 Toyota Comforts (over 99%), the minority being Nissan Cedric (Y31) saloons which were discontinued from the end of 2005.

On 29 May 2007, there were reports that plans are afoot to introduce the LTI-licensed, Chinese Geely-manufactured, LPG-powered TX4 London Black Cabs into the Hong Kong taxi service market.

In 1996, a few taxis that ran on LPG appeared as part of the government's test project for alternative fuel.

Although LPG-powered vehicles are supposed to be relatively non-polluting, and do indeed reduce roadside pollution, a 2007 study by Polytechnic University indicated that older LPG taxis emitted at least double the amount of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons compared to diesel.

Rates offered were up to 20% lower than the metered fares on long-distance trips, with competition being particularly fierce on the airport route.

The warring factions took turns to blockade Hong Kong International Airport to air their grievances.

[28] Andrew Cheng Kar-foo, chairman of the Legislative Council's transport panel, proposed cutting taxi fares to deal with illicit discounting.

Legislative Councillors unanimously passed a motion urging the government to allow taxis to impose the surcharge.