Some Hong Kong taxi drivers unprepared as new e-payments rule takes effect

Some Hong Kong taxi drivers have yet to install e-payment options even after the city’s mandatory electronic payment choices for taxis came into effect, highlighting a digital divide challenge facing cabbies, the South China Morning Post has observed. Under the Transport Department rule that came into effect on Wednesday, all drivers must offer passengers at least a QR code option and an alternative e-payment method. The initiative aimed to elevate the quality of taxi services by leveraging technology to cater to different passenger needs, a department spokesman said. At Times Square in the morning, an elderly driver surnamed Fong had yet to provide e-payment options. When asked if he would accept anything other than local cash, Fong only offered to take Chinese yuan. When asked about the digital options, he said: “Not yet, we have not installed those,” and apologised. In contrast, former Citybus driver Cheung Lik-chuen, 71, successfully processed an Octopus card transaction via a mobile phone application in two minutes and had multiple payment methods, although no credit card terminal. “You want them to do so many things, how can they accept it when they don’t even know how to use navigation,” Cheung said, referring to older drivers struggling to adapt to the new digital systems. Cheung said the HK$5,000 (US$637) maximum fine for drivers not following the rule was “over-the-top and out-of-touch”. “Actually, HK$500 already has a deterrent effect, which makes everyone hurt,” he said, adding that authorities should warn drivers for the first month or two before prosecuting them. Before the rule took effect, Cheung processed about four to five e-payment transactions daily out of more than 20 trips. “Actually, I have had them while many others did not, and some people asked if there is Alipay or WeChat Pay, which I have but they do not, so they ended up coming over to take my cab,” he said. Lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung told the SCMP he expected a mixed response from drivers during the initial phase of the new regulation. “On day one, I expect a mixed bag. While many younger drivers and fleet operators are ready, we might see some ‘friction’ – technical hiccups or drivers who are still hesitant,” he said. Chong and Cheung noted that a credit card machine cost about HK$1,000 and carried a transaction fee of a certain percentage, leading the driver to rely on other platforms. Chong also pointed out that many drivers worked on their own and could not easily attend government workshops. The lawmaker recommended deploying mobile support teams at taxi stands and gas stations to provide real-time troubleshooting for the trade. “While we push for digital transformation, we must not overlook the digital blind spots,” he said. “Especially in the northwest New Territories and near border control points, cellular signals are often unstable.” Looking ahead, Chong urged the government to consolidate the different applications for the five new premier taxi fleets by developing a single comprehensive platform for the industry. The lawmaker warned that having five fleets with separate applications caused confusion for residents. “A super app for taxis will allow drivers to join easily and provide passengers with a seamless experience,” Chong said. Commissioner for Transport Winnie Tse Wing-yee visited a taxi stand in Tsuen Wan to inspect the implementation of the scheme on its first day, and noted smooth operations with drivers who had installed the e-payment options. “I’m happy that drivers told me it’s more convenient for them to collect payments, and we believe this could attract more residents and even tourists to take taxis and would be beneficial to the image of taxis,” Tse said. “Some residents also told us that electronic payment was more convenient and direct and simpler, which had enhanced their experience of taking taxis.” She said there were currently 46,000 active taxi drivers in Hong Kong. About 47,000 registered drivers had activated Octopus accounts and installed the commercial version of the app and mobile payment terminals that support multiple ways to pay. She also urged drivers who had yet to open an electronic payment account to register as soon as possible, and they could visit dedicated service stations, open until Saturday, at government car parks in Sheung Wan, Kwai Fong and Tsuen Wan should they require help. The Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, which represents 70 to 80 per cent of the city’s taxis, reported that most affiliated vehicle owners had successfully installed the required digital tools to comply with the new law, spokesman Peter Yung said. Older drivers resisted the technological shift because electronic platforms delayed revenue settlements by one or two days, disrupting their daily reliance on cash, Yung said. To avoid bearing transaction fees, some drivers might attempt to pass the extra cost directly to passengers or request cash instead – a general practice among taxi industries around the world – the spokesman added. Additional reporting by Ambrose Li

Some Hong Kong taxi drivers unprepared as new e-payments rule takes effect

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Lawmaker Mark Chong says more support should be given to help cabbies with digital transition

Lawmaker Mark Chong says more support should be given to help cabbies with digital transition