Hongkongers’ travel needs come first in developing ride-hailing regulations: minister
New transport chief Mable Chan also says the city’s taxi licensing system has hampered innovation efforts
Newly appointed transport minister Mable Chan has said she will prioritise residents’ travel needs in designing a regulatory framework for Hong Kong’s growing ride-hailing industry, earning praise from a lawmaker for having the “right attitude” in her approach.
Chan also acknowledged on Saturday that ride-hailing services were popular with residents, whereas the city’s taxi licensing system had hampered efforts to innovate in the sector.
It is illegal in Hong Kong for drivers of private vehicles to accept paid customers without a hire-car permit, while ride-hailing platforms such as Uber are unregulated.
Only days after replacing Lam Sai-hung as secretary for transport and logistics, Chan’s stance marked a shift from her predecessor.
Lam in July unveiled a proposal calling for stiffer penalties against those offering illegal ride-hailing services while strengthening the taxi trade through a plan to launch premium cab fleets.
“Residents are willing to pay more to buy the convenience and service offered by the ‘point-to-point service’, so residents’ travel needs must be our primary concern,” Chan told a radio programme on Saturday.
