Uber ‘will be out of the game’ in Hong Kong if it fails to meet requirements: minister
- ‘In the future, if these platforms fail to meet the basic requirements and conditions, they will be out of the game. It’s as simple as that,’ transport secretary says
Online ride-hailing service platforms such as Uber will be “out of the game” in Hong Kong if they fail to meet regulatory requirements in the future, the transport chief has told the Post.
In a wide-ranging interview on Thursday, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung also said authorities would study whether the regulatory framework should include issuing new types of licences for ride-hailing services or expanding the quota of existing hire-car permits.
Lam said it was necessary to assess the impact that any moves might have on the city’s transport ecosystem while also balancing the interests of all stakeholders.
“There is a demand for ride-hailing services, and we are aware that many cities have similar services,” he said. “We remain open-minded because the reality is that it is a popular trend.”
Uber has been unregulated in Hong Kong for a decade now, and earlier this week, the bureau proposed tougher regulations for ride-hailing platforms to address the issue of drivers of private cars offering to carry passengers without the necessary permits.
