Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Chris Ip and a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (October 14):
Question:
(1) of the number of complaints received by the authorities and the number of drivers with points incurred since the implementation of the Taxi-Driver-Offence Points system, with a breakdown by the nature of the offences; the number of drivers who have been disqualified from driving a taxi due to accumulated points;
(2) as there are views pointing out that drivers of red taxis plying for hire at public transport interchanges provided with both New Territories and urban taxi stands generally expect to pick up passengers travelling to urban areas, whether the authorities will, by drawing on the operational model of cross-harbour taxi stands, set up dedicated taxi stands at some interchanges for passengers bound for urban areas; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) as there are views that point-to-point transport demand in the New Territories will continue to increase in the future, whether the Government will, apart from adjusting the number of ride-hailing vehicle licences, review the number of taxi licences in a timely manner or enhance the existing service arrangements for urban and New Territories taxis; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
(1) The TDOP system has officially come into effect on September 22, 2024, covering 11 relatively serious taxi-driver-related offences under the legislation. A taxi driver who is convicted of any of these offences or is liable to pay a fixed penalty will incur the corresponding points. In accordance with the law, a taxi driver must not, without reasonable excuse, willfully refuse or neglect to accept a hire, nor refuse or neglect to drive the taxi to any place indicated by the hirer (refusing hire). The Police has all along been handling cases involving refusing hire seriously, and will seek advice from the Department of Justice and initiate prosecution if there is sufficient evidence. Any person who commits refusing hire will incur with the maximum of 10 points under the TDOP system.
As of October 2, 2026, a total of 229 taxi drivers had incurred points, of which 125 cases were for refusing hire. Out of all the 229 drivers with points incurred, three drivers have been disqualified from driving a taxi (for a period of three months) owing to an incurrence of 15 points or more. Breakdown is set out at Annex I.
In addition, from the implementation of the TDOP system to August 2026, the Transport Department (TD) had received a total of 5 944 taxi-driver-related complaints, of which 605 cases involved refusing hire. Breakdown is set out at Annex II. Upon receipt of complaints, TD will conduct investigations and refer them to the law enforcement agency for follow-up depending on the nature of the cases. TD will also issue letters to the taxi owners or drivers concerned to request explanations, reminding them to comply with the legislation and pay attention to their service attitude, with a view to keeping up service quality.
(2) In accordance with the law, New Territories (NT) taxis have designated operating areas, which mainly cover the north-eastern NT (i.e. north of Sha Tin) and the north-western NT (i.e. north of Tsuen Wan), and their fares are lower than those of urban taxis. On the other hand, urban taxis can pick up passengers and take them anywhere (except Tung Chung Road and roads in South Lantau).
(3) The Government has been upholding the public transport-oriented policy with railway as the backbone, complemented by well-networked mass transport modes (such as franchised buses and the Light Rail) to provide efficient services for the public. On the other hand, public light buses and taxis play a supplementary role, with the latter providing personalised point-to-point services, currently accounting for about 6 per cent of the overall public transport patronage.