Taxi Service Commendation Ceremony Recognizes Quality Drivers and Management Teams for Excellence in Service

Taxi Service Commendation Scheme encourages trade to strive for excellence and give full play to new opportunities for quality service

The Committee on Taxi Service Quality (CTSQ) and the Transport Department (TD) today (August 15) jointly held the Taxi Service Commendation Scheme Prize Presentation Ceremony 2024 to compliment quality taxi drivers and taxi service management teams.

Officiating at the Prize Presentation Ceremony, the Acting Commissioner for Transport, Ms Candy Kwok, said she was glad to note the rising participation of taxi drivers, the trade and members of the public in the Commendation Scheme, which has been held for 22 years since 2002. This showed the public's support for and recognition of drivers and management teams providing quality services.

Ms Kwok added that the Government had introduced a series of initiatives to enhance the overall quality of taxi services and promote the healthy development of the taxi industry in the long run. The TD issued official Taxi Fleet Licences to five taxi fleets in July 2025 with a view to offering quality services to the public. All fleet taxis provide multiple electronic payment means, while safety devices and the driver monitoring system have been installed to provide convenience for passengers and ensure driving safety.

The Government has also submitted to the Legislative Council the legislative amendments on mandatory installation of Journey Recording Systems and provision of electronic payment means on taxis, strengthening the deterrent effect against malpractice by the black sheep in the taxi industry and safeguarding the interests of both drivers and passengers on one hand, while providing convenience for passengers to pay the fare on the other. Ms Kwok encouraged the trade to continue to strive for excellence to provide more quality ride experiences, thereby giving full play to new opportunities for quality service.

Among 573 nominated taxi drivers, 20 were selected as Quality Taxi Drivers this year by an assessment panel comprising non-trade members of the CTSQ and relevant department representatives. The Most Popular Taxi Driver was presented to the driver with the highest number of votes in the public voting, while Good Driver, Good Service awards were presented to two drivers providing exceptional services during the ride. In addition, the assessment panel selected one Quality Taxi Service Management Team based on management, application of technology and social responsibility of management teams. The list of awardees is set out in the Annex.

Taxi Service Commendation Scheme encourages trade to strive for excellence and give full play to new opportunities for quality service Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Taxi Service Commendation Scheme encourages trade to strive for excellence and give full play to new opportunities for quality service Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Taxi Service Commendation Scheme encourages trade to strive for excellence and give full play to new opportunities for quality service Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Taxi Service Commendation Scheme encourages trade to strive for excellence and give full play to new opportunities for quality service Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $1.1 million at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (May 25) detected a drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport. About 1.9 kilograms of suspected heroin, with an estimated market value of about $1.1 million, and one duty-not-paid cigarette were seized.

A 46-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today. During customs clearance, Customs officer found the batch of suspected heroin concealed in a wooden box, and the duty-not-paid cigarette in his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possession of dutiable goods and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service the possession of dutiable goods. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court tomorrow (May 26).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $1.1 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $1.1 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases