Over 200 taxi drivers booked under demerit system

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Wednesday revealed that 229 taxi drivers have incurred demerit points since the Taxi Driver Offence Points System took effect in September 2024. The system covers 11 offences that affect service quality, with drivers accumulating points based on the severity and facing penalties once specific thresholds are reached. In response to a question from lawmaker Chris Ip at the Legislative Council, Chan noted that 125 cases involved refusing a hire – which carries the maximum penalty of 10 points. Three drivers have been banned from driving a taxi for three months after accumulating 15 or more points, she added. The Transport Department had received nearly 6,000 driver-related complaints between September 2024 and August this year, 605 of which involved refusing a hire. "Upon receipt of complaints, the Transport Department will conduct investigations and refer them to the law enforcement agency for follow-up depending on the nature of the cases," Chan said. "The department will also issue letters to the taxi owners or drivers concerned to request an explanation, reminding them to comply with the legislation and pay attention to their service attitude, with a view to keeping up service quality." The transport chief added that, from the end of this year, taxis must be equipped with a journey-recording system, including a dash camera, an in-vehicle recording system, and a global navigation satellite system. She stressed that this new requirement would not only strengthen the deterrent effect for drivers, but also ensure a fair record of evidence whenever disputes arise between passengers and drivers. Edited by Raymond Yeung

2026-10-14 18:47:00