Former District Councilor Johnny Chung Embraces New Role as Taxi Driver: A Different Perspective on Hong Kong

Former district councilor turned “taxi man” Chung Lai-him: Experience another Hong Kong

[Aithisg meadhanan neo-eisimeileach]Former Sha Tin District Councilor Chung Lai-him said on social media earlier that he successfully obtained a taxi and minibus license and officially joined the ranks of “taxi riders”. As a social worker himself, he said that through his job as a driver, he can contact more people from different walks of life, which benefits Kong’s social work services and getting to know his home from a different angle.

Walking to the streets of Sha Tin, the rumble of the train inside the rail contrasted with the red taxis parked nearby. Looking at the young man in front of me who got out of the driving seat and was dressed in casual T-shirt sneakers, it is difficult to associate him with the rough idea of ​​a “taxi person”. The main character of this story is the new taxi driver Johnny Chung.

Former Sha Tin District Councilor Chung Lai-him said on social media earlier that he successfully obtained a taxi and minibus license and officially entered the ranks of “taxi men”.

“I’ve thought about wearing a suit and gloves like a Japanese driver, but it’s too hot and I can’t help but wear gloves at the same time.

Johnny, who was joking and apparently full of energy, started work on time at 5am on the day of the trip and continued to work until the evening, not a typical “taxi person”. He is now 29 years old, he is a social worker. It is a typical “slash family” Now, if you “step over the border”, the first thing of course is to “find food.”

He laughed and said that among such public transport, taxi drivers have the most flexible time to balance his multiple identities, he chose to be a taxi driver now, on average, he has duty two days a week ” With the idea of ​​”proceeding as long as it is safe and legal”, “it depends a lot on hard work and luck, and sometimes I get tips. ” After deducting the car rental and gas costs for the day, the average hourly wage is “probably the highest. among public transport.” “.

If you want to improve the system, you have to enter the system first, just like the original intention to enter the parliament in the first place.

Former Sha Tin District Councilor Chung Lai-him: “The most direct way to improve the quality of public transport services is to directly join the ranks of public transport!”

Johnny said that he has always believed that in order to understand something, one must first enter the scene and experience it more believable than conclusions based on pre-conditions. fixed. hands-on experience first,” he said. You’ll understand.” He believes that both residents of public housing estates and wealthy people living in detached houses have the opportunity to take taxis. Just like a district councillor, he can come into contact with different people from different social strata who are usually difficult to communicate with. Whether there is a conversation or not, it helps to broaden his perspective and helping him to make progress. In the past, it was the quality of agents’ consideration now, social workers have a “appropriate feeling” when providing services.

As a social worker, he mainly serves sub-divided housing households in Sham Shui Po. However, he was born into a rich family and he always gave people the impression that he “didn’t care about the world”. It seems that the new identity of “taxi man” helps to break through the limitations of a person’s upbringing. “When you meet a professional driver, you will be more likely to tell yourself what happened to the taxi.” more relevant and persuasive in your service.

“I won’t say that I want to change taxi ecology, but at least I should start with myself and understand what people think about ‘Taxi Man’.

Johnny, who entered the taxi driver business, started work on time at 5am on the day of the trip and continued driving until evening.

He said the first “flag” he raised on the morning of the trip was a hiker with a puppy about to leave from Sha Tin to Sai Kung Sai Wan Pavilion. It was in his mind.

Johnny said that there is basically no public transportation to reach the place, and it is a restricted area, so it is difficult to reach even when he drives a private car everyday. Fortunately, after becoming a professional driver, he finally found excuses to go to places he wanted to go but didn’t have the opportunity to go.

Sai Wan Ting is a remote place. (provided by the interviewer)

“There is nothing more challenging than these four years.”

In 2019, under the influence of social movements, the political mood reached its highest level. democratic in the area. In just five years, district councilors were transformed into “taxi men”. The electoral system was also completely reformed. He believes that in those years, “everyone was involved in watching the news” and entertainment was just human nature He also admitted that compared to many people, that he was lucky to still have the freedom to get in and out.

In August 2023, at a Sha Tin District Council meeting (file photo)

However, he believes that even if the social atmosphere changes, there are still many people who work quietly and contribute to the city in various ways, such as Yuehe Soy Sauce, Shanghai Parade Shop , etc., and has always tried hard to maintain. “local production”, but Hong Kong people often choose Ignore it, sighing that “the introduction of local productions is not as much as the number of people who like the online taxi card “, and even the practice of “pre-explaining the situation, step to the left first, saying that Hong Kong is over”, please stop the public. Just focus on “what people and things Hong Kong has lost”, and instead pay more attention to what we still have.

He also pointed out that as the social model changes, his role has changed because he cannot say that he has “regrets” He has also taught himself to “accept volatility” and meet the next challenge. He is still full of hope for the future of Hong Kong “No one knows what will happen in the future.”

Johnny loves singer He Luoyao (Sica) and thinks his madness is very real “Everyone should explore their Sica side.” (provided by the interviewer)