Lam Sai-hung, Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Logistics, expressed confidence that taxi fleets can bring about quality service and improve the overall standard of taxi services.

In a program, Lam Sai-hung stated he is very concerned about taxi services and hopes the industry will "strive harder" to improve. He acknowledged that the service of some taxi drivers has been disappointing, and therefore, he hopes that taxi fleets can bring a new look to the industry.

He explained that many taxis are currently "single-car operations," making it difficult to file complaints. With the issuance of taxi fleet licenses, the authorities will have requirements on the age of taxis, management standards, complaint handling, and driver training. There will also be specifications for in-vehicle hardware, such as recording devices and payment platforms. The Transport Department will provide oversight and have the power to revoke fleet licenses, so Lam is confident that taxi fleets can improve service quality.

Regarding the number of taxi fleets, Lam Sai-hung believes there could be a maximum of five, and the government will also reference experiences from other places. The most important factor is the fleet's quality, which needs to be of substantial scale. If a significant proportion of taxi services improve, it will also put pressure on other taxis. He also said that if the taxi fleets perform well, the government may not rule out increasing the number of fleets in the future.

As for regulating illegal ride-hailing services, Lam Sai-hung said the government is conducting a study, referencing overseas examples and considering whether to issue licenses. The study is nearing completion, and the results are expected to be shared with legislators, the industry, and stakeholders next month, seeking further opinions to map out the way forward.