HONG KONG – Commuters in Hong Kong will have to pay more for riding taxis after newly hiked flagfall fares – fixed initial charge incurred at the start of a journey – took effect on Sunday.

The flagfall for red urban taxis will be increased to HK$29, HK$25.50 for green New Territories taxis and HK$24 for blue Lantau taxis, the city's Transport Department announced on Saturday.

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For urban taxis, the incremental charge for every 200 meters or every one minute waiting period will be HK$2.1 per jump if the fare is below HK$102.5 and HK$1.4 per jump if above.

When taxi drivers charge new fares according to the conversion tables, the fare amount based on the new fares has to be written down on fare receipts issued to passengers.

Transport Department, HKSAR

For green taxis, the incremental charge will be HK$1.9 and HK$1.4 per jump before and after the fare reaches HK$82.5.

The incremental charge will be HK$1.9 and HK$1.6 per jump before and after if the blue taxi fare reaches HK$195.

Taxi drivers should also display the fare conversion tables in the vehicle if the taximeters are yet to be adjusted to display the new fares, the Transport Department said in a press release Saturday.

“Taxi passengers have to pay the new fares according to the conversion tables. When taxi drivers charge new fares according to the conversion tables, the fare amount based on the new fares has to be written down on fare receipts issued to passengers,” it added.

For additional charges of the three types of taxis, the fares for every piece of baggage carried will remain at HK$6, except light personal hand baggage carried inside the passenger compartment.

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Also, the fares for every animal or bird carried and every hiring arranged through telephone booking will remain at HK$5, it added.

On May 14, the Executive Council approved the cab industry’s application to raise fares. While the taxi trade had requested average increases of 16.95 percent, 15.37 percent, and 11.68 percent for red, green and blue taxis, respectively, approval came for 8.86 percent, 9.56 percent, and 10.92 precent, respectively.

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While approving the hike, the ExCo said it took into account factors such as people’s ability to pay and taxi companies’ financial status in reaching its decision, a government spokesperson said then.

This is going to be the second fare increase in the taxi industry in nearly two years. The last taxi fare increase was in July 2022, when all Hong Kong taxis raised their flagfall charges by HK$3, to HK$27 for urban taxis, HK$23.50 for New Territories taxis, and HK$22 for Lantau taxis.