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Hong Kong taxi drivers losing out to Uber? ‘If you can’t beat them, join them’, don’t go on sting operations, experts say
- Lawmaker Michael Tien tells cabbies to consider signing up to Uber Taxi service, says some earn HK$10,000 a month extra
- But legal framework needs attention, other legislators say, with one suggesting authorities buy back all taxi licenses in HK$5 billion overhaul
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Hong Kong taxi drivers should join Uber’s ride-hailing service if they cannot beat it instead of demanding authorities outlaw the operation, a lawmaker has said, with others calling for a robust legal framework to manage the sector better.
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Lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun told cabbies to consider joining the company’s Uber Taxi service as he weighed in on the latest debate over the use of ride-hailing services in the city.
He said about 11,000 of the 16,000 urban taxis in the city were already on the platform, adding that some were earning an extra HK$10,000 (US$1,300) in monthly income, according to his understanding.
Much like the company’s regular service, Uber Taxi allows passengers to book rides directly with an upfront price instead of using a meter.
“The complaints were made by those who did not join. To me, if you can’t beat them, join them. If all the drivers join Uber Taxi and it turns out the demand is larger than the supply, the government should grant more hire-car permits,” Tien said.
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“If their idle time has not reduced after they join, then I agree to outlaw Uber private cars. It is just a very simple concept to tackle the situation.”
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