A veteran taxi driver has welcomed an upcoming government regulation that makes the availability of electronic payments mandatory for all taxis, saying e-payment systems had already made journeys more convenient for both passengers and drivers and also boosted his earnings.

From April 1, all taxi drivers in Hong Kong will be required to offer at least one QR-code-based and one non-QR-code electronic payment method to enhance service quality and improve passenger convenience.

Cheng, a taxi driver with more than a decade of experience, said the policy shift had had a positive impact on his business.

“Customers often check their wallets before getting in. If they have cash, they’ll hop in. Sometimes they don’t, but when they see my car accepts electronic payment, they will get in,” he said.

“It definitely helps bring in more business.”

Cheng noted that signing up for electronic payment systems was quick and hassle-free.

He observed that most of his local customers preferred to use Octopus while tourists tended to opt for credit card payments.

Ryan Wong, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Council, echoed Cheng’s sentiments, saying the new requirement would boost public confidence in taking taxis and improve overall satisfaction.

He urged drivers who had yet to sign up to visit the nearest service centre and complete their registration before the deadline.

"According to one of the biggest [platforms] Octopus, there have already been more than 40,000 taxi drivers registered for their systems and are ready for electronic payments," he said.

"We believe that already covers the majority of the taxi drivers, but of course, there are still some taxi drivers who have not yet completed their registration, so we encourage them to do it as soon as possible."

Wong said both the authorities and various e-payment platforms have ramped up training and technical support, especially for older drivers.

He also noted that intense competition among e-payment providers had led many to waive activation and handling fees, easing the financial burden on drivers and encouraging adoption.

Louisa Fung, Assistant Commissioner for Transport, revealed that about one third of taxis across the territory – including all taxi fleets – had already installed integrated payment terminals that accept multiple forms of payment.

She also highlighted the Transport Department’s efforts over the past few months in rolling out publicity and educational campaigns, supervising e-payment platforms in hosting workshops, explaining legal requirements and providing on-site assistance to help drivers open accounts.


Edited by Tony Sabine