Latest news with #SynCab
South China Morning Post
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong taxi fleet, HKU roll out city's first AI-powered dispatch system
A taxi fleet has partnered with the University of Hong Kong for the launch of the city's first artificial intelligence-powered cab dispatch system, which the operator has said improves efficiency, service quality and order acceptance rates. The 'Smart Dispatch Decision System' processes large volumes of real-time data such as road traffic status, weather and battery levels of electric cabs to assign orders, according to taxi fleet SynCab and the Smart Mobility Lab of the university's faculty of engineering. Drivers who opted to take bookings from the AI-powered dispatch system would be given orders without an option to reject them, which could help shorten the match time, Sonia Cheng Man-yee, founder and executive director of SynCab, said on Monday. 'This could help our vehicles to be more efficient, as well as help enhance service quality and order acceptance rates,' she said. 'Drivers also have to learn to trust the system that the orders given to them will be the best.' She said the system had a soft launch in January and before a full roll-out on July 14 as it gathered more data, highlighting that orders placed and taken last month both doubled those of June. SynCab currently operates some 160 vehicles, all of which are equipped with the system. Cheng added that her fleet would be bolstered by up to 425 taxis in the future that also use the system, but stopped short of revealing a timeline.
South China Morning Post
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
How easy is it to ride with Hong Kong's 5 premium taxi fleets? Only 1 passes test
Four out of the five new premium taxi fleets in Hong Kong have failed to accept ride requests within 30 minutes in the city centre, a test by the Post has found several days after the cabs hit the streets with full licences providing ride-hailing alternatives for commuters. The test, conducted on a weekday morning in Tsim Sha Tsui, involved five Post reporters placing orders using separate apps from the five operators: SynCab, Amigo, Big Bee, Big Boss Taxi and Joie. Only SynCab confirmed a ride after an 11-minute wait. The other four platforms either failed to respond or repeatedly cancelled orders during the 30-minute testing window. This contrasted sharply with a separate test to get a traditional taxi or Uber, both requiring less than one minute of wait time and offering cheaper fares than SynCab. With the long-awaited launch of four more taxi fleets on Monday after SynCab, transport minister Mable Chan recently reiterated the government's commitment to improve the sector while stressing that 'each new thing has a transitional period'. Premium taxis were seen by the government as part of the solution to address long-standing complaints about poor taxi service and limited electronic payment options. The new fleets are required by authorities to install in-vehicle cameras and accept e-payments. But the Post's test found that most fleets struggled to take instant ride orders and dispatch vehicles in a timely manner.
South China Morning Post
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's first fully licensed premium taxi fleet hits the streets with 160 cabs
Hong Kong launched its much-awaited premium taxi service on Monday, as the first operator to receive a full licence hit the streets with its 160 cabs after completing a trial run. SynCab showcased its vehicles during a launch ceremony attended by Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan, who said she expected the company would help the public to see the clear path forward for the development of higher-end taxis. She also stressed the importance of training drivers to ensure good service. 'Trained drivers can give residents confidence, and fleet management can allow them to accept online orders with peace of mind on one hand, while also being able to pick up street hails,' Chan said. 'I hope the taxi fleet cherishes and values its advantages. The taxi industry's development hinges on retaining its distinct features and fostering competition, which drives advancement.' Authorities in March said the city aimed to roll out 3,500 premium taxis.
South China Morning Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
2 top Hong Kong taxi fleets approved for pre-booked pick ups at border crossings
Two of the city's premium taxi fleets will be allowed to pick up pre-booked passengers at designated locations within prohibited zones at the Shenzhen Bay Port and the local control point of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge from Friday. Advertisement The Hong Kong government said on Thursday that, starting the next day, passengers would be able to book their journeys through the trial-run fleets Joie and SynCab's mobile apps or using other compatible online ride-hailing channels. The fleets' citywide services include designated pickup points at the two ports. The collection spots are located near the crossings' passenger clearance areas. 'The measure provides convenience to members of the public and visitors to enjoy quality fleet taxi services, and enables fleet operators to collect operational data and passenger feedback during trial operations, with a view to providing reliable services of higher quality at the time of official service commencement,' the Transport Department said. People wait for cross-boundary coaches at the Shenzhen Bay Port. Photo: Dickson Lee Authorities also said the two fleets currently operated about 300 taxis in total, with the cabs being issued permits to enter prohibited zones.
South China Morning Post
05-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
What you need to know about Hong Kong's new premium taxi fleet
The first batch of 3,500 taxis from five fleets offering premium services will begin operating in Hong Kong later this month, with some fares expected to be more expensive than those charged by existing operators and ride-hailing firms. Advertisement The government hopes the Joie, SynCab, Amigo, Big Boss and Big Bee fleets will 'bring a new look' to an industry that has drawn complaints for poor service and refusal to adopt non-cash payments. The Post compares the five fleets, which will account for nearly 20 per cent of the total number of taxis in the city, in terms of pricing and features. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan (third from right) attends the launch ceremony on Monday. Photo: Dickson Lee 1. Which fleet can I use now? Are fares more expensive? Joie, a subsidiary of major taxi firm Tai Wo Management, will begin operating this month with 480 taxis. The other four fleets have until the end of July to launch their services. SynCab started a trial in January with trips to and from border checkpoints, including the airport. At around 6pm on Tuesday its website showed a prepaid ride in a six-seater Maxus Mifa T electric vehicle from Kwun Tong to West Kowloon station cost HK$163 (US$21). Advertisement That was 79 per cent more expensive than the estimated HK$91 fare for a regular taxi booked with FlyTaxi's app. It was also 29 per cent higher than HK$126 for Uber's regular meter taxi order but 12 per cent lower than the HK$186.40 for the priciest Black option.
