Lantau taxi fares are on the rise once more. From April 9, the flagfall charge will be hiked 11.7% and the incremental charge 7%.

Under the new rates, approved by the Transport & Housing Bureau and endorsed Tuesday by the chief executive in council, the flagfall will increase from $HK17 to HK$19 and the incremental charge – for every 200m – will rise from HK$1.40 to HK$1.50.

Hong Kong and New Territories cab fares will also increase by HK$2 per flagfall. In the initial application last April, Lantau drivers had sought to increase the flagfall by HK$4, Apple Daily reported.

In the last price rise in December 2013, the blue taxi flagfall was hiked from HK$15 to HK$17 and the red taxi from HK$20 to HK$22.

The government statement reads:

The flagfall charge for the first 2km will rise from $22 to $24 for urban taxis, from $18.50 to $20.50 for New Territories taxis, and from $17 to $19 for Lantau taxis.

The incremental charge will rise from $1.60 to $1.70 for urban taxis, from $1.40 to $1.50 for New Territories taxis, and from $1.40 to $1.50 for Lantau taxis.

The amendment will be tabled at the Legislative Council on February 15 for negative vetting and is scheduled to take effect on April 9.

The Transport & Housing Bureau has considered changes in revenue and operating costs of taxi operators, public acceptability, and the fare differential between taxis and other modes of public transport.