Taxi Drivers Required to Implement E-Payment Options by April 2026 for Passenger Convenience

Taxi drivers required to provide e-payment means for passengers' convenience from April 1

The Transport Department (TD) today (March 15) reminded taxi drivers that, starting from April 1, 2026, they must provide electronic payment means (e-payment means) to facilitate passengers' payments of taxi fares. Before boarding, passengers may check the stickers on taxi windows or ask the driver about the e-payment means available. Passengers may also continue to pay in cash. Drivers who have yet to install e-payment means are urged to do so as soon as possible to familiarise themselves with the operations.

From April 1, all taxi drivers are required to provide at least two types of e-payment means, including one QR code e-payment means (such as AlipayHK, WeChat Pay HK or BoC Pay) and one non-QR code e-payment means (such as Octopus cards, credit cards or Faster Payment System (FPS)). Drivers may flexibly choose the e-payment means based on their operational needs. Stickers showing the available e-payment means should be displayed at designated positions on taxi windows for passengers' easy reference. There are e-payment platforms (e.g. Octopus Mobile POS) available in the market supporting multiple payment means to enable drivers to meet the mandatory requirement.

A spokesman for the TD said, "The new requirement aims to leverage the use of electronic technology to further enhance the overall quality of taxi services. Different types of e-payment means can provide convenience to passengers, especially tourists, in settling fares, cater for their different needs, and improve the operational efficiency of the taxi trade at the same time."

Since August 2025, the TD has been steering major e-payment platforms and the taxi trade to step up publicity and public education to familiarise taxi drivers with the mandatory requirement. The TD has also hosted over 20 workshops at community halls and centres across the territory and 11 outreach activities at taxi stands to proactively engage drivers, so that they understand the operations of e-payment means, and assist them to register as users. To date, about 1 900 drivers have joined the workshops. An additional workshop for drivers to register as users will be held from 6pm to 9pm on March 20 at the hall of Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre.

In addition, dedicated service counters have been set up at three Government carparks on Rumsey Street in Sheung Wan and in Kwai Fong and Tsuen Wanfrom March 7 to April 4 from 9.30am to 5.30pm to further support drivers in installing and registering for e-payment means early. Taxi drivers can make reservations by phone (38425821), email (taxiteam@td.gov.hk) or fax (28242176) to save waiting time. Over 1600 drivers have made bookings so far. Reservation holders who drive to the counters will enjoy one hour of free parking.

The TD has strengthened publicity through multiple channels, including dedicated liquefied petroleum gas filling stations for taxis, taxi stands at the airport, boundary control points and major stations, designated pre-service training schools for taxi drivers and taxi driver identity plate agents. Publicity has also been carried out regularly via placards inside taxi compartments, the Radio Announcement in the Public Interest, posters, social media, websites, taxi trade conferences and taxi newsletters. The Government noted that the taxi trade is ready for the new requirement.

Members of the public may refer to the TD's leaflet on taxi e-payment means (see Annex, Chinese only) coupled with infographics on the Agent T Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AgentT.hk) on the new requirement, or call the hotline at 28042600 for details.

The Transport Department (TD) today (March 15) reminded taxi drivers that, starting from April 1, 2026, they must provide electronic payment means (e-payment means) to facilitate passengers' payment of taxi fares. Before boarding, passengers may check the stickers on taxi windows or ask the driver about the e-payment means available. Passengers may also continue to pay in cash. Drivers who have yet to install e-payment means are urged to do so as soon as possible to familiarise themselves with the operations. Photo shows a taxi conference hosted by the TD, where major e-payment platforms were invited to introduce the operations of e-payment means. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Transport Department (TD) today (March 15) reminded taxi drivers that, starting from April 1, 2026, they must provide electronic payment means (e-payment means) to facilitate passengers' payment of taxi fares. Before boarding, passengers may check the stickers on taxi windows or ask the driver about the e-payment means available. Passengers may also continue to pay in cash. Drivers who have yet to install e-payment means are urged to do so as soon as possible to familiarise themselves with the operations. Photo shows a workshop hosted by the TD and major e-payment platforms at a community centre to proactively engage drivers, so that they understand the operations of e-payment means, and assist them to register as users. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Transport Department (TD) today (March 15) reminded taxi drivers that, starting from April 1, 2026, they must provide electronic payment means (e-payment means) to facilitate passengers' payment of taxi fares. Before boarding, passengers may check the stickers on taxi windows or ask the driver about the e-payment means available. Passengers may also continue to pay in cash. Drivers who have yet to install e-payment means are urged to do so as soon as possible to familiarise themselves with the operations. Photo shows a briefing session hosted by the TD and major e-payment platforms at a district activities centre to proactively engage drivers, so that they understand the operations of e-payment means, and assist them to register as users. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Transport Department today (March 15) reminded taxi drivers that, starting from April 1, 2026, they must provide electronic payment means (e-payment means) to facilitate passengers' payment of taxi fares. Before boarding, passengers may check the stickers on taxi windows or ask the driver about the e-payment means available. Passengers may also continue to pay in cash. Drivers who have yet to install e-payment means are urged to do so as soon as possible to familiarise themselves with the operations. Photo shows dedicated service counters at a Government carpark to further support drivers in installing and registering for e-payment means early. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Transport Department today (March 15) reminded taxi drivers that, starting from April 1, 2026, they must provide electronic payment means (e-payment means) to facilitate passengers' payment of taxi fares. Before boarding, passengers may check the stickers on taxi windows or ask the driver about the e-payment means available. Passengers may also continue to pay in cash. Drivers who have yet to install e-payment means are urged to do so as soon as possible to familiarise themselves with the operations. Photo shows major e-payment platforms at a taxi trade publicity event, introducing the operations of e-payment means to drivers and assisting them to register as users. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Transport Department today (March 15) reminded taxi drivers that, starting from April 1, 2026, they must provide electronic payment means (e-payment means) to facilitate passengers' payment of taxi fares. Drivers may flexibly choose the e-payment means based on their operational needs. Stickers showing the available e-payment means should be displayed at designated positions on taxi windows for passengers' easy reference. Before boarding, passengers may check the stickers on taxi windows or ask the driver about the e-payment means available. Passengers may also continue to pay in cash. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Transport Department today (March 15) reminded taxi drivers that, starting from April 1, 2026, they must provide electronic payment means (e-payment means) to facilitate passengers' payment of taxi fares. Before boarding, passengers may check the stickers on taxi windows or ask the driver about the e-payment means available. Passengers may also continue to pay in cash. Photo shows the Assistant Commissioner for Transport/Management and Paratransit, Ms Louisa Fung (front row, centre), Legislative Council Members as well as representatives of relevant departments, organisations and major e-payment platforms at a taxi trade publicity event, urging drivers who have yet to install e-payment means to do so as soon as possible to familiarise themselves with the operations. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Transport Department today (March 15) reminded taxi drivers that, starting from April 1, 2026, they must provide electronic payment means (e-payment means) to facilitate passengers' payment of taxi fares. Drivers may flexibly choose the e-payment means based on their operational needs. Before boarding, passengers may check the stickers on taxi windows or ask the driver about the e-payment means available. Passengers may also continue to pay in cash. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Transport Department today (March 15) reminded taxi drivers that, starting from April 1, 2026, they must provide electronic payment means (e-payment means) to facilitate passengers' payment of taxi fares. Before boarding, passengers may check the stickers on taxi windows or ask the driver about the e-payment means available. Passengers may also continue to pay in cash. Photo shows the Assistant Commissioner for Transport/Management and Paratransit, Ms Louisa Fung (third left), and Legislative Council Members at a taxi trade publicity event, urging drivers who have yet to install e-payment means to do so as soon as possible to familiarise themselves with the operations. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong celebrates World Intellectual Property Day 2026

The Intellectual Property Department (IPD) today (April 21) hosted a reception to celebrate the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2026. The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, attended the reception and officiated at the toasting ceremony.

In addressing the reception, Mr Chan highlighted the substantial economic value of IP in the region. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) now has close to 820 000 valid invention patents, representing nearly one-sixth of the national total.

Mr Chan said that the country fully supports Hong Kong's development as a regional IP trading centre, as reaffirmed in the National 15th Five-Year Plan. He underlined that in the Budget this year, the Government is advancing the IP agenda on three key fronts: strengthening the tax regime, promoting IP valuation and financing, as well as nurturing talent.

He highlighted that the Government completed the trade consultation on tax deductions for capital expenditure incurred on IP acquisitions. The aim is to amend the Inland Revenue Ordinance this year.

He also said that the Government has launched the IP Financing Sandbox, which allows stakeholders to experiment the full lifecycle of IP financing arrangements. Moreover, the Government supports the Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Support Centre to launch a Pilot Patent Valuation Support Scheme to help SMEs ascertain the value of their patent assets, with reference to the national standards, or Guobiao.

Mr Chan also highlighted that on the talent front, the Government has allocated $52 million for a two-year pilot scheme to establish an IP Academy. The Academy will commence operations by the end of this year and will offer practical, on-the-job training aligned with the Qualifications Framework.

In his welcoming remarks, the Director of Intellectual Property, Mr David Wong, said that the Government is pioneering efforts in helping enterprises fully leverage their IPs for financing and commercialisation and promoting IP education by providing relevant training to working individuals from different sectors. He emphasised that the Government's sustained investment in fostering the development of IP is a key pillar for consolidating the development of a knowledge-based economy.

The World Intellectual Property Organization set the theme of this year's World IP Day as "IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate!". Exhibits of the 15th National Games were displayed at the venue. They showcased the power and commercial value of IP, as demonstrated by the huge volume of sale of merchandise associated with the two official mascots that have attracted widespread attention across the GBA.

About 180 guests including stakeholders from the legal community and IP-related associations, academics, consulate representatives, government officials and representatives from the public and business sectors attended the reception.

Celebrated annually on April 26, the World IP Day aims to increase general understanding of IP, pay tributes to inventors and creators, and explore how IP helps shape the world. The IPD promoted the World IP Day and related activities through various channels, including sponsoring the "Licensing Academy" workshops of the Asian Licensing Conference to offer industry players insights into new developments in IP licensing.

Hong Kong celebrates World Intellectual Property Day 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong celebrates World Intellectual Property Day 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong celebrates World Intellectual Property Day 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases