White card

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White card (Chinese: 白牌) is a cultural term used to describe citizen-owned automobiles in Hong Kong that act as private taxi service illegally without license.

[edit] History

The term has been around since the 1950s if not earlier when there was a shortage of public transportation[1]. In the 1950s, Hong Kong taxis were limited in numbers. If someone owned an automobile, that person could drive any customer around to some preferred destination. The person can start their own illegal business, and operate entirely without any official licenses under any government regulation. Hence the term "White card" is a loose comparison to a fake taxi license. The concept is still around in the 2000s when citizens needed a ride in the more rural areas with no taxi service. Though it is different from hitchhiking , as drivers can charge whatever rates might best fit the situation.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "The construction of Hong Kong", Guangzhou government (广州市地方志馆), Retrieved on 2007-07-04 (Chinese)

[edit] See also

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