All taxi drivers will be required to offer electronic payment options from as early as April next year, the government said on Wednesday, while in-car cameras, dashcams and navigation systems will soon be mandatory as well.

Legislative amendments, which will be gazetted on Friday, are aimed at improving the taxi trade's service quality with technology and meeting public demand.

From April 1 next year, it will be mandatory for taxi drivers to provide passengers with at least two forms of electronic payment. In a statement, officials said the fact that many cabs in Hong Kong only accept cash has "caused great inconvenience to passengers".

"The [Transport Department] will actively coordinate with various e-payment platforms in arranging workshops or briefings to assist drivers in learning how to collect fares through e-payment means," a spokesperson said.

Drivers will also be required to install a Journey Recording System that could capture videos with sound inside a taxi compartment, as well as provide clear front and rear views outside the vehicle.

The system should "capture data concerning the location of the taxi via a global navigation satellite system" as well.

"We believe that these functions will help deter taxi drivers' malpractices, enhance driving safety of taxis and safeguard the interest of drivers and passengers in the event of disputes," the spokesperson said.

Recorded videos and data would be encrypted "to protect the privacy of passengers and drivers".

The information could only be accessed "under specified purposes" such as investigating any conduct relating to a traffic-related offence, officials added.

"The [Transport Department] will also carry out works relating to the authorisation of suppliers starting from the fourth quarter of this year, so that the trade may start installing the [Journey Recording Systems] inside taxi compartments in 2026," the spokesperson said.