Taxi Service Commendation Ceremony Celebrates Quality Drivers and Management Teams in 2023 Awards.

Taxi Service Commendation Scheme recognises quality service and promotes hospitality (with photos/video)

The Committee on Taxi Service Quality (CTSQ) and the Transport Department (TD) today (August 28) jointly held the Taxi Service Commendation Scheme Prize Presentation Ceremony 2023 to compliment quality taxi drivers and taxi service management teams.

Speaking at the Prize Presentation Ceremony, the Commissioner for Transport and Chairman of the CTSQ, Ms Angela Lee, was pleased to note the sustained increase in participation of taxi drivers, the trade and the public in the Commendation Scheme, showing the public's recognition of drivers and management teams providing quality services. She encouraged drivers and management teams to continue to strive for excellence and act in concert with all sectors of society to tell the good stories of taxi services.

Ms Lee said 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, including the taxi fleet regime. The Government hopes that the taxi fleets will set a good example for other trade members by playing an exemplary and leading role in the trade, thereby boosting passengers' confidence in taxi services, and gradually improving the development prospects for the trade. The trade also acted in congruence with the Government's Hospitality Campaign which encouraged drivers to "Go the Extra Mile", and took the initiative to take forward measures to enhance the trade's image, she added.

Under the Commendation Scheme, among a total of 497 nominated taxi drivers, 20 were selected as Quality Taxi Drivers by an assessment panel comprising non-trade members of the CTSQ and representatives of relevant government departments, in recognition of their endeavours to provide quality services to passengers. Among them, the Most Popular Taxi Driver was presented to the one with the highest number of votes in the public voting, while the Good Driver, Good Service awards were presented to two drivers providing exceptional services during the ride.

In addition, in recognition of proactive efforts to improve service quality and effective management of its fleet and drivers, the assessment panel selected one Quality Taxi Service Management Team based on the management of taxi service quality, the application of advanced technology in enhancing the efficiency and quality of taxi service, and the social responsibility of taxi service management teams over the past two years.

The list of awardees is set out in the Annex.

Taxi Service Commendation Scheme recognises quality service and promotes hospitality (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Taxi Service Commendation Scheme recognises quality service and promotes hospitality (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Taxi Service Commendation Scheme recognises quality service and promotes hospitality (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Taxi Service Commendation Scheme recognises quality service and promotes hospitality (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP reminds public on precautions against heat stroke during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 14) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

"The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

"Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

The public should adopt the following precautions:

Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;

Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;

Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;

For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;

Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and

Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

​The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):

Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;

Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;

Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;

Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and

While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

​If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

​The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111),heat strokepage andUV radiationpage; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Source: AI-generated images