Public Voting Opens for Taxi Service Commendation Scheme to Recognize Quality Taxi Drivers and Services

Public invited to vote in Taxi Service Commendation Scheme

The Taxi Service Commendation Scheme, jointly launched by the Committee on Taxi Service Quality (CTSQ) and the Transport Department (TD), will be open for public voting from today (March 1) until June 30. The TD appeals to members of the public and tourists to cast their votes to recognise dedicated trade practitioners providing quality taxi services.

The Scheme has received about 1 410 nominations of Quality Taxi Drivers and Good Driver, Good Service awards in total. Among them, 70 nominees for the Quality Taxi Drivers and five for the Good Driver, Good Service award were shortlisted for public voting. Members of the public and tourists can vote online through the CTSQ's website (www.ctsq.org.hk/voting) or by scanning the QR code on the Scheme's publicity material (see Annex).

After the end of public voting, a professional assessment panel will evaluate the driving records, conduct, in-service training records, commended behaviour and passengers' satisfaction of the drivers, as well as the management of taxi service quality, application of advanced technology in enhancing the efficiency and quality of taxi service, and social responsibility of the management teams.

Twenty nominees for the Quality Taxi Drivers and two for the Good Driver, Good Service obtaining the highest combined scores from the public voting and professional assessment panel will receive the awards, while the driver given the highest score from public voting will be named the Most Popular Taxi Driver. In addition, the taxi service management team with the highest score from the panel will receive the Quality Taxi Service Management Team award.

The TD will display promotional materials in taxi compartments and other public transport vehicles, and on service information boards at taxi stands. In addition, the TD will promote the Scheme through its website, the HKeMobility mobile app and in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Photo source: Reference image

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine worth about $1.93 million

Hong Kong Customs and anti-smuggling departments of the Mainland Customs conducted a joint operation. Through intelligence analysis, Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 28) intercepted a parcel from the Netherlands declared as paint sent to Hong Kong via the Chinese Mainland, and discovered a total of about 4.8 kilograms of suspected ketamine in six paint cans, with an estimated market value of about $1.93 million.

Upon investigation, Hong Kong Customs mounted a controlled delivery operation in Yuen Long yesterdayand arrested a 13-year-old female youth suspected to be connected with the case.

An investigation is ongoing.

Customs appeals to young people that they should not take chances or take risks since drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future. Parents should also keep an eye on their children's friends to prevent their children from taking drugs or participating in drug trafficking activities under peer influence and pay attention to whether they have income from unknown sources.

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.

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 ketamine worth about $1.93 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases