Q3. Can taxi drivers solicit business by distributing business cards or advertising materials to passengers? Can they do so using smartphone apps or social media?
No. No driver or person acting or purporting to act on behalf of the driver of a taxi, shall in any manner attract or endeavour to attract any person in order to induce such person to make use of the vehicle: see Regulation 40 of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D).
“In any manner” means that distributing business cards, advertising materials to passengers or using smartphone apps or social media for the purpose of soliciting business are prohibited.
Any person who without reasonable excuse contravenes any of the provisions of, or any requirement under Regulation 40 commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at HK$10,000 and to imprisonment for 6 months.