Tired of having to scramble for cash when you’re taking a taxi? Well, we’ve got good news for you. Starting from April 2026, Hong Kong taxi drivers must offer at least two e-payment methods. Every Hong Kong taxi must also install a dashcam or journey recorder by early 2027.
With these changes in place, the government hopes to see an improvement in taxi service quality. It’ll also allow them to compete against ride-hailing services like Uber and TADA, which already offer cashless payment.
Also read our story on best day trips to take from Hong Kong.
Hong Kong taxi drivers to offer e-payment by April 2026
While taxis in the city have begun offering e-payment options since 2024, not all drivers have taken it up. Under this new legal amendment, every driver must begin doing so. The mandate will take effect on April 1, 2026. Moreover, they must offer at least two e-payment methods. One of them will use QR codes, while the other will not. Drivers have some flexibility in choosing which specific e-payment method to install, based on their needs and costs.
Some drivers have asked the government to provide subsidies and allow them a grace period to adjust to the change. Authorities will be working with e-payment platforms to provide support for the drivers. They will provide workshops to help drivers learn how to use the platforms and collect their fares.
Taxis must install dashcam by 2027
The Legislative Council has also approved an amendment that will require all Hong Kong taxi drivers to install a dashcam or journey tracker. These systems would record both audio and video inside the vehicle. It will also capture the front and rear exterior views of the car. On top of that, the devices would be able to connect to GPS and record the taxi’s location-based data.
For those concerned about their privacy, the recordings will be encrypted and stored in sealed units. The recordings and location data will be stored for at least 30 days. Only certain people would be allowed to access the recordings, including law enforcement agencies. The devices will also be linked to a central information system managed by the government.
The Transport Department will receive applications from suppliers to provide these journey trackers later this year. Installation will begin next year with a target completion date of 2027.
Authorities hope that these journey trackers would prevent or deter any misconduct. The recordings and location data will also help future investigations, such as for traffic-related offences. Together with the e-payment requirement, the authorities hope these changes will improve the service offered by Hong Kong taxi drivers.
What do you think of these changes?
This story first appeared here.
(Feature Image Credit: Arron Choi/Unsplash)
Related | Decode Hong Kong’s Public Transport System With Our Handy Travel Guide
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Johanna Muliani
An Indonesian enamoured with the sights of Hong Kong, Jo is a curious spirit who loves telling stories ..Read More
