Can anyone explain the Hktaxi app to me?

[HK_Katherine]

It was recommended by a friend as being good for non canto speaker and I tried it this evening. It seemed to (eventually) find me a taxi which rang me up and told me his number (information which appears to be clearly indicated on the app) and then proceeded to drive e to the wrong spot (wrong side of my building, which is a huge difference in the evening). So I tried to cancel and could not figure out how. The "cancel order" button was greyed out. Gave up and just got in a normal taxi....

What is the benefit of this app?

[HowardCoombs]

What is the benefit of this app?

Bribery

When there is an imbalance of supply and demand, this app allows you to say "hey, come and get me and I'll give you $50 extra" and magically, supply side opens up and a shiny taxi shows up.

[chuckster007]

I use the HKTaxi app quite a lot even for short journeys and the phone calls do seem to be a bit stupid but its their way of making sure the order is real and the address is correct. I've never had to bother with the bribering part even for journeys that cost around $40 mark.

The app has a points system for the drivers which was explained to me once before, it prevents them from just choosing long distance orders ONLY, after a few long journey they are only allowed to accept short journey before they can accept another long journey.

[Seagulls!]

I heard about it. I downloaded it, saw the UI and then continued to use UBER

[HowardCoombs]

I heard about it. I downloaded it, saw the UI and then continued to use UBER

The problem with Uber (in Hong Kong) is that sometimes the supply completely dries up, zero, zilch, nothing, nada - when you dont have a chance to get one even at double or triple the fees.
Uber's systems are supposed to prevent that but the supply side is completely buggered up with Uber and has been for a while so you can be screwed if you rely on Uber only.

With HKTaxi, the supply is never zero and you can be guaranteed success, with a bit of extra incentive.

[jaykay]

The problem with Uber (in Hong Kong) is that sometimes the supply completely dries up, zero, zilch, nothing, nada - when you dont have a chance to get one even at double or triple the fees.
Uber's systems are supposed to prevent that but the supply side is completely buggered up with Uber and has been for a while so you can be screwed if you rely on Uber only.

With HKTaxi, the supply is never zero and you can be guaranteed success, with a bit of extra incentive.

I think it depends on where you are. I've got about a 60% hit rate on it. Had times offered more and not a single call.Quite a few expired, failed to find any driver including a situation as Katherine above. Standing directly outside a building and taxi tells me it's there and clearly isn't. Had to revert to Uber or take a bus. So it's an addition but not a 100% solution to ordering transport.

[bdw]

With the HKTaxi app you can go cashless and setup your credit card in the app and pay by card. But it's kind of fucked up, when selecting credit card payment method, I have sometimes drivers call me back asking 'cash only?' and I just have to roll my eyes and say OK. Also they've had some promotions like $30 off with mastercard and things like this. Now they have 5% "taxi dollars" and I'm not sure how it works, but I think they charge a surcharge now which is ridiculous but then you get these taxi dollars back.

I really can't wait to try Didi once it's available in english. I still cannot believe that it's available in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing and many other cities in English, but in HK is only in traditional or simplified chinese.

[MerMer]

I stopped using Uber after a driver went.the wrong way and my fare increased a lot, and they wouldn't do anything when I contacted them about it.
Haven't had any major problems with the HK taxi app. Once or twice I've had to use the bribery option, but other than that, all good.

[traineeinvestor]

I stopped using Uber after a driver went.the wrong way and my fare increased a lot, and they wouldn't do anything when I contacted them about it.
Haven't had any major problems with the HK taxi app. Once or twice I've had to use the bribery option, but other than that, all good.

I stopped using Uber after getting fed up with being charged for drivers who never turned up. Utter rubbish in HK (better in some other places I've used it).

[james_hklocal]

Have you turned on your phone's "location"? Hopefully, it can help the taxi find you.

It was recommended by a friend as being good for non canto speaker and I tried it this evening. It seemed to (eventually) find me a taxi which rang me up and told me his number (information which appears to be clearly indicated on the app) and then proceeded to drive e to the wrong spot (wrong side of my building, which is a huge difference in the evening). So I tried to cancel and could not figure out how. The "cancel order" button was greyed out. Gave up and just got in a normal taxi....

What is the benefit of this app?