from Hong Kong


WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Ireland


HONG HONG TOURISM DRIVE TARGETS RUDE CABBIES


Hong Kong, seek- ing to revive its struggling tour- ism sector, has launched a $16bn initiative that includes a crack- down on notor- iously rude taxi drivers. The city, grappling with the aftermath of political upheaval and pandemic restrictions, aims to boost visitor numbers from 45 million in 2024, a significant drop from 65 million in 2018. A key component of the tourism blueprint focuses on improving the behaviour of taxi drivers, who face increasing complaints. In 2023, the city received 11,500 complaints, a 53% surge from the previous year. To combat this, authorities are implementing a penalty- points system for offences like taking longer routes, with 15 points leading to a ban. Drivers are also being urged to “smile more” and embrace modern technology, with legislation proposed to mandate digital payment acceptance and CCTV. However, these measures are met with resistance from an ageing and financially strained taxi workforce. Drivers face challenges such as low pay, with an average take-home of $29,000 annually, and rising competition from ride-hailing apps like Uber. “Around 40 years before, taxi drivers earned enough salary for their family, but now it’s not enough,” says cabbie Tsz Lok Hui. The high cost of taxi licences, reaching up to $900,000, and daily rental fees further exacerbate their financial burdens. The rise of Uber, despite its unclear legal status, poses a significant threat to traditional taxi drivers. Moreover, tensions with mainland Chinese tourists, who comprise the majority of Hong Kong’s visitors, are escalating. Social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu are filled with complaints of overcharging and poor service. With pressure mounting from both government initiatives and disgruntled tourists, Hong Kong's taxi drivers face increasing scrutiny and demands for improved service.


PHTM APRIL 2025


IRISH EV TAXI GRANT SCHEME HALTED AMIDST OVERWHELMING DEMAND


A government initiative designed to incentivise taxi drivers to trans- ition to EVs has been abruptly paused, just weeks after reopening, due to an unprecedented surge in applications. The eSPSV Grant Scheme, offering up to €25,000 to eligible drivers, has been inundated, exhausting its €12.5m budget. The Department of Transport (DoT) announced on 13 March that the National Transport Authority (NTA), responsible for administering the scheme, would temporarily halt applications to process the flood of submissions. This pause follows a period of intense interest, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for EV adoption within the small public sector vehicle industry. “The sheer volume of applications received is a strong endorsement of the EV transition, particularly among high-mileage taxi, hackney and limousine drivers who are eager to embrace a cleaner, more efficient technology,” stated Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien. The scheme, which provides varying grant amounts for both new and used EVs, with increased funding for those scrapping older, high-polluting vehicles, has seen over 2,800 SPSV operators switch to electric since its inception in 2018. The maximum grant of €25,000 is available for drivers who scrap an eligible older vehicle and purchase a new, wheelchair- accessible EV from the NTA’s approved list. According to a DoT spokesperson, over 1,850 applications have been received this year alone, and these are currently being processed. The NTA’s latest figures indicate that over 2,600 fully electric taxis, hackneys, and limousines are currently operating in Ireland, alongside more than 5,400 hybrids. The NTA will review and process the existing applications, with a potential reopening of the scheme later in the year, contingent on available funds and the assessment of current demand.


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