The taxi service has been frequently criticized, with the Commissioner for Transport and Logistics, Victor Lam, revealing that last year the police force and the Transport Department received 9,584 and 2,544 complaints respectively, representing an increase of 70% and 60% compared to the previous year (2022). The police force took enforcement action in 174 cases against taxi drivers for violations last year, with the most common offense being “refusal or neglect to hire” (refusal to pick up passengers), accounting for 85 cases. The number of prosecutions and convictions related to taxi drivers increased more than threefold to 57 cases compared to 13 cases in 2022.
In a written response to Legislative Council member Chan Pui-leung’s inquiry, Victor Lam disclosed the above figures. Complaints received by the Transport Department and the police force mainly involved overcharging, refusal to hire, refusal or neglect to drive the taxi to the specified destination, and taking detours. Complaints received by the Transport Department also included improper driving behavior, refusal to provide receipts, and smoking in the vehicle while passengers were present. Additionally, complaints received by the police force included violations related to taxi meters, disrespectful behavior of drivers, solicitation of passengers, and improper driving behavior.
Regarding the types of complaints, the most common complaint received by the police force last year was “refusal or neglect to hire,” with 1,435 cases reported, marking a 93% increase from the previous year. The Transport Department received the highest number of complaints related to improper driving behavior, totaling 374 cases.
Regarding “overcharging,” the police and Transport Department received 1,034 and 340 complaints respectively last year, representing an increase of over 1.2 times and 1.3 times compared to the previous year. The number of cases involving refusal to hire or neglect showed a similar trend with 1,435 and 361 cases reported, nearly doubling from the previous year. Detours accounted for 924 and 277 cases reported, showing an increase of over 82% and 45% respectively.
Last year, the police issued summonses or made arrests in 174 cases involving taxi drivers’ violations, showing a 15% increase from the previous year. The most common offenses included “refusal or neglect to hire,” with 85 cases, followed by overcharging (42 cases), refusal to drive the taxi to the specified destination (18 cases), violations related to taxi meters (16 cases), and detours (13 cases).
The enforcement action that showed the largest increase was overcharging, which nearly doubled compared to the previous year.
Victor Lam stated that in the past five years, all 22 offenses related to taxi drivers (excluding offenses related to driving misconduct) have resulted in convictions. There were 57 cases last year, more than three times the 13 cases in 2022, but still less than the 76 cases in 2019 before the pandemic.
Victor Lam mentioned that the police, in collaboration with the taxi industry, the Lan Kwai Fong Association, and the Central-Western District Traffic Safety Council, launched a three-month “Lan Kwai Fong Taxi Ambassador Program” starting from April 5th. The police also initiated a two-week operation during the May Day holiday this year to crack down on violations by public service vehicles, especially taxis.