The average number of aspiring Hong Kong taxi drivers taking a key industry test each month has risen nearly 30 per cent to around 1,800 following the launch of a simplified assessment last year, transport minister Mable Chan has said. She also announced that the government is expanding dedicated meeting spaces for the city's five premium taxi fleets at cultural and business landmarks.
The average number of aspiring Hong Kong taxi drivers taking a crucial industry test each month has increased by nearly 30 per cent following the launch of a simplified version of the assessment last year, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan has said.
Chan made the remarks in a social media post on Saturday. “We streamlined the written test arrangements for taxi drivers last year. The average monthly number of candidates has now risen to around 1,800, representing an increase of nearly 30 per cent compared with previous figures,” she wrote. “This continues to inject fresh impetus into the industry, attracting more new entrants. Looking ahead to the new year, we will persist in advancing the pace of reform within the taxi sector.”
Earlier, Chan explained that the new test had simplified and reduced questions about locations and routes, owing to the availability of navigation technology that assists drivers in quickly finding destinations and planning more efficient routes.
The transport chief also announced that more dedicated spots for app-using passengers of premium fleet taxis to meet would be provided outside the Palace Museum, the M+ museum, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the airport.
These measures aim to bolster the taxi industry amid ongoing efforts to address driver shortages.
