About 1,000 premium taxis will hit the streets of Hong Kong in July, falling short of the government’s target by about 50 per cent, despite the positive responses received during the trial, according to an official.

Commissioner for Transport Angela Lee Chung-yan said on Friday that the Transport Department would grant official licences to five taxi fleets by the end of July and that the progress made on both the hardware and software of the fleets was satisfactory.

“Most of the taxi fleets have reached the 60 per cent threshold of their maximum capacity, in terms of the number of vehicles purchased and their hardware,” Lee said.

“Although some drivers and taxi owners might still be unfamiliar with the new taxi fleets, we are pleased to see fleets stepping up in their preparation work. With these recruitment schemes being increasingly well-received, I am confident that more drivers will join the fleets.”

The Transport Department granted temporary licences to taxi fleets in July last year, saying that the five fleets combined would have more than 3,500 taxis. The department had set a deadline last year that the number of taxis in service by July 2025 should be at least 60 per cent of the 3,500, which was about 2,100 taxis.

Lee’s revelation on the 1,000 taxis meant it fell short of its 2,100 target.

The new fleets are aimed at elevating Hong Kong’s taxi service standards, as existing cabs have acquired a reputation for cherry-picking or overcharging passengers.