Hong Kong lawmakers push for deeper cuts to Tai Lam Tunnel tolls
By Vivian Au
Hong Kong lawmakers have called for further cuts to the Tai Lam Tunnel tolls during off-peak hours, beyond the government’s proposed reduction in charges set to take effect in May.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Friday that the tunnel could see increased usage if there was a deeper drop in tolls, stressing that authorities would need to maintain a macro view on traffic management.
“Our main concern is to prevent traffic congestion,” she told lawmakers.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau last month floated a proposal of time-varying fees for the tunnel that connects Yuen Long with western Tsuen Wan.
Under the plan, tolls range from the steepest at HK$45 (US$5.80) during peak hours on weekdays and Saturdays, to HK$30 during normal time slots, and HK$18 for off-peak hours between Monday and Saturday, and throughout Sundays and public holidays.
Taxis and commercial vehicles will be charged an all-day uniform toll of HK$28 and HK$43, respectively.
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By Vivian Au
Hong Kong lawmakers have called for further cuts to the Tai Lam Tunnel tolls during off-peak hours, beyond the government’s proposed reduction in charges set to take effect in May.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Friday that the tunnel could see increased usage if there was a deeper drop in tolls, stressing that authorities would need to maintain a macro view on traffic management.
“Our main concern is to prevent traffic congestion,” she told lawmakers.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau last month floated a proposal of time-varying fees for the tunnel that connects Yuen Long with western Tsuen Wan.
Under the plan, tolls range from the steepest at HK$45 (US$5.80) during peak hours on weekdays and Saturdays, to HK$30 during normal time slots, and HK$18 for off-peak hours between Monday and Saturday, and throughout Sundays and public holidays.
Taxis and commercial vehicles will be charged an all-day uniform toll of HK$28 and HK$43, respectively.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Why India is unlikely to extradite ousted Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina
By Shaikh Azizur Rahman
Bangladesh’s formal request for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has put New Delhi in a diplomatic bind, with officials and experts suggesting India is unlikely to comply due to legal uncertainties and fears of damaging its strategic interests.
After a massive nationwide protest led by students ousted Hasina on August 5, ending her 15-year rule, she fled to India where she is reportedly staying in housing provided by the Indian government.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has declined to clarify its next steps in response to the extradition request, which was sent by Bangladesh last week.
“At this time, we have no comment to offer on this matter,” ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on December 24.
Some Indian foreign policy experts suggest New Delhi may not hand Hasina back without stringent proof of wrongdoing.
“Bangladesh needs to present solid evidence that Hasina is guilty of the crimes they are accusing her of, as extradition is essentially a judicial process,” Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, told This Week in Asia.
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By Shaikh Azizur Rahman
Bangladesh’s formal request for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has put New Delhi in a diplomatic bind, with officials and experts suggesting India is unlikely to comply due to legal uncertainties and fears of damaging its strategic interests.
After a massive nationwide protest led by students ousted Hasina on August 5, ending her 15-year rule, she fled to India where she is reportedly staying in housing provided by the Indian government.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has declined to clarify its next steps in response to the extradition request, which was sent by Bangladesh last week.
“At this time, we have no comment to offer on this matter,” ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on December 24.
Some Indian foreign policy experts suggest New Delhi may not hand Hasina back without stringent proof of wrongdoing.
“Bangladesh needs to present solid evidence that Hasina is guilty of the crimes they are accusing her of, as extradition is essentially a judicial process,” Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, told This Week in Asia.
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High-heeled China son struts stuff like supermodel to raise cash for mum’s cancer treatment
By Fran Lu
A young live streamer in China has attracted 800,000 followers on a major social media platform by wearing high heels and strutting his stuff like a runway model to sell oranges in his village.
The money he has raised from his eye-catching online videos helps pay for his mother’s cancer treatment.
Since 2022, Cheng Zhongkun, 25, who uses the online handle @mingmokun, which means “supermodel kun”, has been posting videos of himself in high heels having fun with fellow villagers in his hometown of Qingji in southwestern China’s Chongqing municipality.
Cheng, who graduated as a dancing major from Chengdu Sport University in southwestern Sichuan province, is not afraid to show off his feminine side in the videos.
His father went to the city for work when Cheng was two years old, leaving his mother to take care of the daily farm work.
As a result, Cheng had to grow up fast.
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By Fran Lu
A young live streamer in China has attracted 800,000 followers on a major social media platform by wearing high heels and strutting his stuff like a runway model to sell oranges in his village.
The money he has raised from his eye-catching online videos helps pay for his mother’s cancer treatment.
Since 2022, Cheng Zhongkun, 25, who uses the online handle @mingmokun, which means “supermodel kun”, has been posting videos of himself in high heels having fun with fellow villagers in his hometown of Qingji in southwestern China’s Chongqing municipality.
Cheng, who graduated as a dancing major from Chengdu Sport University in southwestern Sichuan province, is not afraid to show off his feminine side in the videos.
His father went to the city for work when Cheng was two years old, leaving his mother to take care of the daily farm work.
As a result, Cheng had to grow up fast.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
South Korea blaze sees multiple people trapped
By Reuters
Multiple people were reported trapped on Friday in a fire in the South Korean city of Seongnam, south of Seoul.
YTN Television showed video footage of a building that appeared to be at least eight storeys tall engulfed in black smoke with a blaze burning on the lower floors.
There have been no confirmed casualties, YTN said.
The fire broke out in Seongnam in Gyeonggi Province on Friday afternoon.
The building, which also has five basement floors, houses underground car parks, sports facilities, and restaurants below ground, while shops and hospitals are located above ground.
Fire authorities issued the second stage of response in a three-tier system due to concerns about potential casualties involving multiple people.
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By Reuters
Multiple people were reported trapped on Friday in a fire in the South Korean city of Seongnam, south of Seoul.
YTN Television showed video footage of a building that appeared to be at least eight storeys tall engulfed in black smoke with a blaze burning on the lower floors.
There have been no confirmed casualties, YTN said.
The fire broke out in Seongnam in Gyeonggi Province on Friday afternoon.
The building, which also has five basement floors, houses underground car parks, sports facilities, and restaurants below ground, while shops and hospitals are located above ground.
Fire authorities issued the second stage of response in a three-tier system due to concerns about potential casualties involving multiple people.
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Hong Kong to experience warmer, drier weather in coming 3 months: Observatory
By Ng Kang-chung
Hong Kong will experience warmer but drier than usual weather in the coming three months following an almost rainless December, according to the latest analysis from the city’s meteorological agency.
The Observatory’s report, released on Friday, also noted that last month was slightly warmer than normal, with the monthly mean temperature at 18.5 degrees Celsius (65.3 degrees Fahrenheit) – 0.3 degrees higher than the December norm.
Looking ahead, the Observatory forecast “normal to above-normal temperature” for January through March, attributing the trend to climate warming which has led to a “significant long-term increase” in Hong Kong’s temperatures.
“Besides, the majority of climate models around the world forecast normal to above-normal temperature over southern China for January-March 2025. Hence, the temperature of January-March 2025 in Hong Kong is expected to be normal to above normal,” the Observatory said.
It also noted there would be a higher chance of “normal to below-normal” rainfall in Hong Kong between January and March, as suggested by forecasts from most other climate models.
The Observatory said in its report that the weather in December was “much drier than usual in Hong Kong”.
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By Ng Kang-chung
Hong Kong will experience warmer but drier than usual weather in the coming three months following an almost rainless December, according to the latest analysis from the city’s meteorological agency.
The Observatory’s report, released on Friday, also noted that last month was slightly warmer than normal, with the monthly mean temperature at 18.5 degrees Celsius (65.3 degrees Fahrenheit) – 0.3 degrees higher than the December norm.
Looking ahead, the Observatory forecast “normal to above-normal temperature” for January through March, attributing the trend to climate warming which has led to a “significant long-term increase” in Hong Kong’s temperatures.
“Besides, the majority of climate models around the world forecast normal to above-normal temperature over southern China for January-March 2025. Hence, the temperature of January-March 2025 in Hong Kong is expected to be normal to above normal,” the Observatory said.
It also noted there would be a higher chance of “normal to below-normal” rainfall in Hong Kong between January and March, as suggested by forecasts from most other climate models.
The Observatory said in its report that the weather in December was “much drier than usual in Hong Kong”.
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Hong Kong property deals drop in December as slump thins agent ranks
By Salina Li
Property transactions in Hong Kong fell in December amid a slump that has thinned the city’s ranks of licensed property agents to a seven-year low.
Hong Kong recorded 5,510 property transactions in December, including new and second-hand homes, parking spaces, shops, industrial facilities and offices, according to Land Registry data released on Friday. This represents a 28.3 per cent drop from November but a 46.4 per cent improvement from a year earlier. The total value amounted to HK$42.8 billion (US$5.5 billion), down 33.3 per cent from November but up 27.4 per cent year on year.
Home transactions fell 35 per cent from November to 4,103 after a rebound in the previous two months, although this represented a 40 per cent jump year on year. Residential sales totalled HK$32.6 billion.
A total of 67,979 deals were recorded in 2024, up 17 per cent from 58,035 in 2023 and the highest since 96,133 in 2021, the data showed. Residential sales for the year surged 23.5 per cent to 53,099.
“The growth [in residential property transactions] was mainly contributed by primary sales, thanks to the removal of property curbs and the start of rate cut cycle,” said Eddie Kwok, executive director of valuation and advisory services at CBRE Hong Kong.
Further easing in the effective mortgage rate led to a continuous inflow of buyers into the residential property sector, he said, adding that the drop in December was mainly attributable to seasonal factors.
“We expect transaction volume to remain at a similar level in January,” Kwok said. “The situation is likely to improve after [Lunar] New Year, when we expect developers to debut more new projects.”
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By Salina Li
Property transactions in Hong Kong fell in December amid a slump that has thinned the city’s ranks of licensed property agents to a seven-year low.
Hong Kong recorded 5,510 property transactions in December, including new and second-hand homes, parking spaces, shops, industrial facilities and offices, according to Land Registry data released on Friday. This represents a 28.3 per cent drop from November but a 46.4 per cent improvement from a year earlier. The total value amounted to HK$42.8 billion (US$5.5 billion), down 33.3 per cent from November but up 27.4 per cent year on year.
Home transactions fell 35 per cent from November to 4,103 after a rebound in the previous two months, although this represented a 40 per cent jump year on year. Residential sales totalled HK$32.6 billion.
A total of 67,979 deals were recorded in 2024, up 17 per cent from 58,035 in 2023 and the highest since 96,133 in 2021, the data showed. Residential sales for the year surged 23.5 per cent to 53,099.
“The growth [in residential property transactions] was mainly contributed by primary sales, thanks to the removal of property curbs and the start of rate cut cycle,” said Eddie Kwok, executive director of valuation and advisory services at CBRE Hong Kong.
Further easing in the effective mortgage rate led to a continuous inflow of buyers into the residential property sector, he said, adding that the drop in December was mainly attributable to seasonal factors.
“We expect transaction volume to remain at a similar level in January,” Kwok said. “The situation is likely to improve after [Lunar] New Year, when we expect developers to debut more new projects.”
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Calling all smartphone seekers: China to subsidise personal devices, expand trade-in push
By Ji Siqi
China will subsidise consumers who purchase new smartphones this year, in the latest attempt to elevate the country’s sluggish domestic consumption as external uncertainties are set to mount.
The country’s nationwide consumer trade-in programme, funded by sovereign bonds, will be expanded to personal digital products, including smartphones and tablets, as well as smartwatches and bracelets, its top economic planner announced on Friday.
Yuan Da, deputy secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a press conference that China will “significantly increase the scale of ultra-long-term special treasury bonds” to support the expansion of consumer goods trade-ins and industrial equipment upgrades in 2025.
The NRDC will optimise the allocation of funds by favouring areas with better results achieved in the trade-in programme last year, Yuan said.
It will also simplify the subsidy process to reduce the liquidity pressure on enterprises, while strengthening fund supervision, he added.
By the end of August, Beijing had disbursed 150 billion yuan (US$20.55 billion) to local governments to subsidise consumer purchases of home appliances and electric cars.
The move injected some energy into weak domestic consumption that has impeded China’s economic recovery, as a large share of household wealth has been trapped in the dwindling property and stock markets.
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By Ji Siqi
China will subsidise consumers who purchase new smartphones this year, in the latest attempt to elevate the country’s sluggish domestic consumption as external uncertainties are set to mount.
The country’s nationwide consumer trade-in programme, funded by sovereign bonds, will be expanded to personal digital products, including smartphones and tablets, as well as smartwatches and bracelets, its top economic planner announced on Friday.
Yuan Da, deputy secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a press conference that China will “significantly increase the scale of ultra-long-term special treasury bonds” to support the expansion of consumer goods trade-ins and industrial equipment upgrades in 2025.
The NRDC will optimise the allocation of funds by favouring areas with better results achieved in the trade-in programme last year, Yuan said.
It will also simplify the subsidy process to reduce the liquidity pressure on enterprises, while strengthening fund supervision, he added.
By the end of August, Beijing had disbursed 150 billion yuan (US$20.55 billion) to local governments to subsidise consumer purchases of home appliances and electric cars.
The move injected some energy into weak domestic consumption that has impeded China’s economic recovery, as a large share of household wealth has been trapped in the dwindling property and stock markets.
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China steps up flight safety in wake of deadly Azerbaijani and South Korean plane crashes
By Hayley Wong
China’s civil aviation authority said it is improving runway safety and assessing risks in the wake of the deadly Azerbaijan Airlines and Jeju Air plane crashes.
Following the two accidents late last month, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) “immediately convened a special meeting to circulate information about the accidents and monitor the investigations”, CAAC safety director Shu Mingjiang said on Friday.
Shu added that the CAAC regularly assessed security risks for all flights, filed security reminders to airlines and adjusted flight routes and plans to ensure aviation safety.
Chinese authorities have confirmed there were no Chinese nationals on either flight and expressed condolences to the victims.
Since the Azerbaijan Airlines crash on December 25, several Chinese airline routes that previously flew across the southwestern portion of Russia’s airspace appear to be circumventing the area, as Azerbaijani authorities suspect the Russian air defence system was behind the tragedy.
The Azerbaijan Airlines jet crashed after being damaged in the airspace above Grozny in southwestern Russia. The plane attempted to land at Aktau International Airport in Kazakhstan but failed, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.
Early reports said the crash was caused by a bird strike, but it was later speculated that Russian air defence missile blasts hit the plane and electronic warfare systems paralysed it.
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By Hayley Wong
China’s civil aviation authority said it is improving runway safety and assessing risks in the wake of the deadly Azerbaijan Airlines and Jeju Air plane crashes.
Following the two accidents late last month, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) “immediately convened a special meeting to circulate information about the accidents and monitor the investigations”, CAAC safety director Shu Mingjiang said on Friday.
Shu added that the CAAC regularly assessed security risks for all flights, filed security reminders to airlines and adjusted flight routes and plans to ensure aviation safety.
Chinese authorities have confirmed there were no Chinese nationals on either flight and expressed condolences to the victims.
Since the Azerbaijan Airlines crash on December 25, several Chinese airline routes that previously flew across the southwestern portion of Russia’s airspace appear to be circumventing the area, as Azerbaijani authorities suspect the Russian air defence system was behind the tragedy.
The Azerbaijan Airlines jet crashed after being damaged in the airspace above Grozny in southwestern Russia. The plane attempted to land at Aktau International Airport in Kazakhstan but failed, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.
Early reports said the crash was caused by a bird strike, but it was later speculated that Russian air defence missile blasts hit the plane and electronic warfare systems paralysed it.
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US consensus on countering China will keep Quad relevant under Trump: experts
By Zhao Ziwen
Donald Trump’s return to the White House is expected to cast a cloud over the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), but Washington’s bipartisan consensus on countering China will ensure the grouping’s continuing importance, observers said.
The framework – between the US, Australia, Japan and India – which flourished during Joe Biden’s presidency, could be overshadowed by Trump’s policy focus in his second term but the Quad allies would remain close to Washington, one expert noted.
The Quad began as a loose partnership to provide humanitarian and disaster assistance after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and was formalised in 2007 by then Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.
The grouping ceased in 2008 when Australia withdrew during Kevin Rudd’s tenure as prime minister. It was resurrected in Trump’s first term as a security grouping, in response to China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific.
It became a pillar of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy under Biden, who turned the framework into a head-of-state level mechanism with an annual summit focusing on maritime security and freedom of navigation – with China as the elephant in the room.
On Tuesday, the US State Department published a joint statement with its Quad counterparts to mark the grouping’s 20th anniversary and reaffirming its vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and its support for regional stakeholders.
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By Zhao Ziwen
Donald Trump’s return to the White House is expected to cast a cloud over the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), but Washington’s bipartisan consensus on countering China will ensure the grouping’s continuing importance, observers said.
The framework – between the US, Australia, Japan and India – which flourished during Joe Biden’s presidency, could be overshadowed by Trump’s policy focus in his second term but the Quad allies would remain close to Washington, one expert noted.
The Quad began as a loose partnership to provide humanitarian and disaster assistance after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and was formalised in 2007 by then Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.
The grouping ceased in 2008 when Australia withdrew during Kevin Rudd’s tenure as prime minister. It was resurrected in Trump’s first term as a security grouping, in response to China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific.
It became a pillar of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy under Biden, who turned the framework into a head-of-state level mechanism with an annual summit focusing on maritime security and freedom of navigation – with China as the elephant in the room.
On Tuesday, the US State Department published a joint statement with its Quad counterparts to mark the grouping’s 20th anniversary and reaffirming its vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and its support for regional stakeholders.
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In-flight thefts soar in Japan as passengers warned of high-altitude thieves
By Julian Ryall
Japanese airlines and travel industry analysts are warning passengers to take greater care of their valuables after a spate of in-flight thefts allegedly carried out by organised crime groups.
According to Chiba prefectural police, which covers Narita International Airport to the east of Tokyo, there were 19 such cases reported in the first 10 months of 2024, up from seven incidents in the same period the previous year.
In each case, victims reported being asleep on a flight into or out of the airport and later discovered items in their luggage placed in overhead storage units had gone missing.
In most cases, cash taken from wallets was replaced with less valuable banknotes from other countries, meaning that victims did not realise something was amiss until much later. This delaying tactic adds to suspicions that an organised crime group or groups might be targeting the flights, the Mainichi newspaper reported.
Chiba police said around 60 per cent of the victims were Japanese men who lost yen, dollars or credit cards from inside bags stowed in overhead bins. Losses averaged 410,000 yen (US$2,605), although one passenger told police that 2.07 yen million had gone missing.
It is believed that the thefts took place after cabin lights had been dimmed to allow passengers to sleep on long-haul flights, although cash has also gone missing aboard shorter flights to destinations in Asia.
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By Julian Ryall
Japanese airlines and travel industry analysts are warning passengers to take greater care of their valuables after a spate of in-flight thefts allegedly carried out by organised crime groups.
According to Chiba prefectural police, which covers Narita International Airport to the east of Tokyo, there were 19 such cases reported in the first 10 months of 2024, up from seven incidents in the same period the previous year.
In each case, victims reported being asleep on a flight into or out of the airport and later discovered items in their luggage placed in overhead storage units had gone missing.
In most cases, cash taken from wallets was replaced with less valuable banknotes from other countries, meaning that victims did not realise something was amiss until much later. This delaying tactic adds to suspicions that an organised crime group or groups might be targeting the flights, the Mainichi newspaper reported.
Chiba police said around 60 per cent of the victims were Japanese men who lost yen, dollars or credit cards from inside bags stowed in overhead bins. Losses averaged 410,000 yen (US$2,605), although one passenger told police that 2.07 yen million had gone missing.
It is believed that the thefts took place after cabin lights had been dimmed to allow passengers to sleep on long-haul flights, although cash has also gone missing aboard shorter flights to destinations in Asia.
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Malaysians outraged over suspected serial cat killer after ‘mutilated’ feline found
By Hadi Azmi
The furore over a suspected cat killer lurking on a campus in Kuala Lumpur intensified on Friday after the discovery of another “extensively mutilated” feline enraged animal lovers who have already rescued dozens of cats.
In the latest incident, the Universiti Malaya Student Union (UMSU) said a cat was found on Thursday outside the medicine faculty with its internal organs exposed.
Malaysia is a cat-loving nation where pet ownership has soared since the pandemic, largely influenced by its Muslim majority, who generally favour cats over dogs due to cultural and religious beliefs, including the Prophet Muhammad’s reputed fondness for the felines.
Animal rights activists and members of the public descended upon the campus on December 22 and rescued 22 cats, fearing they could be targeted next. Their intervention came after social media users shared disturbing images of the dead cats, some severely mutilated and with missing limbs.
UMSU faculty representative Jelyn Lyn said an orange-furred cat had an open wound with its intestines and right hind limb missing when it was found in a secluded corner outside the faculty.
The Royal Malaysian Police and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) have blamed the incidents on wild dogs but many Malaysians have doubts about the authorities’ assessment.
The surgical cuts seen on the cats, some of which had their whole legs cut off, have left animal defenders angry at the lack of action against a suspected cat killer stalking the capital’s largest campus.
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By Hadi Azmi
The furore over a suspected cat killer lurking on a campus in Kuala Lumpur intensified on Friday after the discovery of another “extensively mutilated” feline enraged animal lovers who have already rescued dozens of cats.
In the latest incident, the Universiti Malaya Student Union (UMSU) said a cat was found on Thursday outside the medicine faculty with its internal organs exposed.
Malaysia is a cat-loving nation where pet ownership has soared since the pandemic, largely influenced by its Muslim majority, who generally favour cats over dogs due to cultural and religious beliefs, including the Prophet Muhammad’s reputed fondness for the felines.
Animal rights activists and members of the public descended upon the campus on December 22 and rescued 22 cats, fearing they could be targeted next. Their intervention came after social media users shared disturbing images of the dead cats, some severely mutilated and with missing limbs.
UMSU faculty representative Jelyn Lyn said an orange-furred cat had an open wound with its intestines and right hind limb missing when it was found in a secluded corner outside the faculty.
The Royal Malaysian Police and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) have blamed the incidents on wild dogs but many Malaysians have doubts about the authorities’ assessment.
The surgical cuts seen on the cats, some of which had their whole legs cut off, have left animal defenders angry at the lack of action against a suspected cat killer stalking the capital’s largest campus.
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Can Hong Kong’s premium taxi fleet be launched as soon as March?
By Kahon Chan
Hong Kong’s first premium taxi fleet could launch as soon as March, according to the transport chief, but an industry representative said he was sceptical as financial, technical and manpower challenges could delay the start date.
The city government issued five taxi fleet licenses five months ago in an effort to improve the industry’s service quality, requiring winning bidders to launch services with vehicles accounting for about 40 per cent of the entire fleet by the end of July.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said in a newspaper interview published on Friday that the first premium fleet could be rolled out as early as March, without specifying which operators were ready.
The fleet operators would be able to fix fees that are higher than the regulated rate for ordinary taxis, but were also required to offer perks such as online bookings, electronic payment options and complaint handling mechanisms.
One of the operators, SynCab, founded in 2015 by Chung Shing Taxi, had initially said they could begin service last September. It later said some of its new six-seat cabs started operating as regular taxis last month and a mobile app for booking would be available in February.
Ng Kwan-sing, permanent president of the Taxi Dealers and Owners Association, told the Post that he was sceptical about the minister’s target, as he had learned that fleet operators were facing financing difficulties due to the mandate of using cabs that were three years or younger.
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By Kahon Chan
Hong Kong’s first premium taxi fleet could launch as soon as March, according to the transport chief, but an industry representative said he was sceptical as financial, technical and manpower challenges could delay the start date.
The city government issued five taxi fleet licenses five months ago in an effort to improve the industry’s service quality, requiring winning bidders to launch services with vehicles accounting for about 40 per cent of the entire fleet by the end of July.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said in a newspaper interview published on Friday that the first premium fleet could be rolled out as early as March, without specifying which operators were ready.
The fleet operators would be able to fix fees that are higher than the regulated rate for ordinary taxis, but were also required to offer perks such as online bookings, electronic payment options and complaint handling mechanisms.
One of the operators, SynCab, founded in 2015 by Chung Shing Taxi, had initially said they could begin service last September. It later said some of its new six-seat cabs started operating as regular taxis last month and a mobile app for booking would be available in February.
Ng Kwan-sing, permanent president of the Taxi Dealers and Owners Association, told the Post that he was sceptical about the minister’s target, as he had learned that fleet operators were facing financing difficulties due to the mandate of using cabs that were three years or younger.
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