Background
TAXI
TAXI
TAXI
Hong Kong ,
As a bustling metropolis, has a highly developed public transportation system, in which “taxis” play an indispensable role, providing flexible pick-up and drop-off services for residents and tourists.
Taxis in Hong Kong are divided into three categories:
Red taxis that primarily serve urban areas,
Green taxis for the northern New Territories,
Blue taxis exclusive to Lantau Island and Chek Lap Kok Airport. According to the latest data from the Hong Kong Transport Department, as of 2025, there are approximately 18,163 taxis in the entire territory, including 15,250 red taxis, 2,838 green taxis, and 75 blue taxis.
AGING PROBLEM
As of April 2025, there are about 210,000 licensed taxi drivers across Hong Kong, with over 60% aged 60 or above, totaling around 131,000 people; about 1,600 are aged 80 to 89, and nearly 50 are over 90, indicating a severe aging problem in the industry, where drivers are mostly middle-aged or elderly.
The average monthly income for Hong Kong taxi drivers ranges from $19,000 to $28,000 (equivalent to HK$99 to HK$113 per hour), depending on working hours and tips. As for drivers who join ride-hailing platforms, while they can increase orders through the platforms, the earnings are not substantial; for example, Uber’s commission rate typically exceeds 20%, and for premium vehicle types, it can even reach over 30%.
Salary
When mentioning taxi drivers, people often associate them with negative impressions, such as rude attitudes, taking detours, or refusing fares. In 2024, there were over 10,000 taxi complaint cases, marking a new high in the past decade, with the most common being “unreasonable behavior,” further exacerbating the industry’s negative image.