Hong Kong’s cab network is about to get an upgrade, thanks to new taxis that will offer services like wireless internet, charging points, and online booking options. The government green-lit five new fleets that will put a total of 3,500 premium cabs on the roads between the end of March and July this year. Three of the fleets will take passengers to urban parts of the city, while the others will also cover Lantau and the New Territories. And yes, all the new taxis will accept electronic payment.
What to Expect From Hong Kong’s New Taxis
Last year, the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Transport Department announced that they had approved fleet licence applications for five companies: Joie, SynCab, Amigo, Big Boss and Big Bee. Each operator will provide 300-1,000 taxis, which account for about 20% of all the cabs in Hong Kong. Passengers can hail these cabs on the street or book them online, but fares — which can be paid using Visa, Mastercard, Octopus, and other e-payment methods — may differ based on the booking channel, traffic levels, and timings.
How the New Cab Companies Compare
Joie will be the first to launch operations with 480 taxis in March, and gradually expand to 800. The remaining four companies will be service-ready by the end of July. SynCab, with its planned 425 cabs, bills itself as the only hybrid fleet that covers Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Lantau, and the New Territories. Amigo’s 1,000 vehicles will have a smart booking system with AI-powered ride dispatch and intelligent fare calculation, while Big Boss’s 300-strong fleet will include premium black six-seater taxis with state-of-the-art sound systems and automatic massage seats. Big Bee’s all-electric line-up of 1,000 cabs will boast an AI internet of things system that integrates real-time GPS positioning and in-car 5G Wi-fi.
Hong Kong’s taxi industry has seen quite a few shake-ups over the past year, most recently with the impending closure of HKTaxi in April and a new penalty system that targets drivers who overcharge and refuse rides. Cab fares also went up in 2024, which impacted base rates and incremental charges.
Image credits: GovHK
