Joie, SynCab taxis start limited pickups in restricted port areas

The taxis will feature an exclusive livery design or marking for easy identification.

Two pilot taxi fleets, Joie and SynCab, are now allowed to pick up pre-booked passengers at specific spots within prohibited zones at the Shenzhen Bay Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.

Passengers can book journeys through the fleet’s mobile applications or other online hailing channels and then board the taxis at the ports’ designated stopping places.

The Transport Department said that besides creating more convenience for users of fleet taxi services, the new measure will enable fleet operators to collect data and passenger feedback, providing better services when they officially begin operating.

Currently, the two fleets are operating around 300 taxis as part of a trial and will be issued with a prohibited zone permit by the department.

The taxis will feature an exclusive livery design or marking for easy identification.

The department said it will also open the designated stopping places for use by the three other new fleets in Hong Kong when they start trial operations.