New Colours of Hong Kong Taxis Unveiled!

Photo:HK Gov

The Hong Kong government has announced that over 3,500 new taxis, managed by five different companies, will begin operating on the city’s streets starting this month. During a launch event on Monday, Transport and Logistics Secretary Mable Chan revealed that Tai Wo Management’s taxi fleet, branded as “Joie,” will kick off services by the end of March. The remaining four fleets are slated to follow, with full operations expected by the end of July.

Speaking in Cantonese, Chan expressed optimism about the initiative, stating, “These five taxi fleets are set to take a leading role in the industry, revitalizing the taxi sector and offering higher-quality services.” The new fleets, which account for nearly 20% of Hong Kong’s total taxi population, include a mix of hybrid, electric, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles, with electric models making up more than half of the lineup.

Last July, the government granted taxi fleet licenses to five companies—ranging from established local operators to new transport joint ventures—as part of an effort to address persistent public complaints about taxi services in the city. Alongside Tai Wo Management, the licensees include Big Boss Taxi Company (Big Boss), SynCab Service (Syncab), CMG Fleet Management (Amigo), and Sino Development (International) Company (Big Bee).

Unlike the traditional red, green, and blue taxis—designated for urban areas, the New Territories, and Lantau Island, respectively—these new fleets feature distinct colors and designs for easy recognition. For instance, Big Bee taxis sport yellow and orange hues, while Amigo taxis, named after the Spanish word for “friend,” stand out in neon pink.

The Transport Department has mandated that all operators launch their services by July, a year after receiving their licenses. A government spokesperson told HKFP that by the end of July, the companies must have 60% of their fleets—totaling 2,100 taxis—on the roads.

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Sonia Cheng, executive director of SynCab, shared with HKFP that since a soft launch in December, the company has been running 50 taxis across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. SynCab plans to expand to 425 cabs in total. “Even without much promotion, our fleet has already completed 26,000 trips,” Cheng said in Cantonese. “This shows a clear demand for taxis offering premium services.”

Transport Secretary Chan emphasized that the new vehicles will come equipped with multiple electronic payment options and cutting-edge safety features, including dashcams, GPS, and systems to monitor driver performance.