Four taxi fleets licensed to start operation

Pre-booking is available at around 80 designated taxi fleet sites in 13 locations.

Official Taxi Fleet Licenses have been issued to four taxi fleets to commence service, said the Transport Department (TD) on Monday.

With the official license, effective for five years, the five fleets can pick up pre-booked passengers at around 80 designated taxi fleet sites in 13 locations.

These locations include the airport, the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, some Airport Express stations, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, and Hong Kong Disneyland, amongst others.

The four fleets are Big Boss Taxi, Amigo and Joie, which operate urban taxis, as well as Big Be, which operates a mixed taxi fleet.

Special design of the four fleets has been approved, fleet taxi plates and certificates are also displayed outside and inside the taxi for identification by passengers.

"All fleets provide online hailing services, passengers can book their journeys through the fleets' mobile applications or other online hailing channels, customer service hotlines are also provided,” said a spokesman for the TD “all fleet taxis accept multiple electronic payment means, while safety devices have been installed to provide convenience for passengers and ensure driving safety."

Fares of the fleet taxis may differ for pre-arranged journeys, a booking fee or lump sum fare may be charged on top of the metered fare, but both must be agreed upon with the hirer in advance.

The fares may also vary for pre-arranged journeys depending on the time of booking and the types of taxis requested; higher fares may be charged during peak hours or for booking a premium taxi.

For street-hailing trips, fleet taxis shall charge according to the same fare schedule as general taxis.

The taxi fleet's official website is set to provide information and services to the public.

The TD has also set designated stops at 13 locations and installed information boards, as well as booking QR codes for the public to make reservations.