appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Ambrose Li

Uber has partnered with a Hong Kong transport operator to launch its first premium service outside the United States, but local lawmakers have stressed the move is unrelated to the firm’s push for a larger licence quota under a coming regulatory regime.
The US-based company partnered with Kwoon Chung Bus to introduce Uber Elite, which offers pre-booked rides in Mercedes-Benz vehicles for up to six passengers, uniformed chauffeurs, airport meet-and-greet services and more, the firms announced on Monday.
“The feedback from many customers, especially business ones, is that they hoped to see a premium service and Uber Elite could precisely satisfy that,” said Estyn Chung, the ride-hailing platform’s general manager in Hong Kong.
Timothy Wong Cheuk-tim, executive director of Kwoon Chung Bus, said there had been a continuous increase in the demand for personalised, high-quality travel services as millions of business and leisure travellers visited Hong Kong each month.
“We’ve wanted to strengthen our business-to-customer services because our group has worked with hotels and companies more. With this, we could be in touch with customers more and enhance our services and access through the platform,” he said.
Wong said the 15 to 30 full-time drivers taking part in the new initiative were all from Kwoon Chung Bus’s limousine department, and are required to complete six hours of training and an assessment before driving premium service patrons.

He added that the company fleet included more than 100 vehicles suited for the service, though it had initially allocated up to 50 to Uber Elite and would adjust the number later depending on demand.
The two companies said the service was “purpose-designed for C-suite executives, business travellers, high-net-worth individuals, … [and] corporate clients”, adding that the cost of such trips would run into the high three-digit or low four-digit range.
The drivers all speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin, while the rides come with complimentary Wi-fi, bottled water, snacks, device charging stations and wet wipes. Customers can also book from two hours to 90 days in advance.
Lawmaker Adrian Pedro Ho King-hong, a member of the Legislative Council’s transport panel, said that there was “definitely demand” for the service, which could complement Hong Kong’s economic development.
“If you look at how our tourism policy is going, we’re trying to attract more sort of high-end customers, tourists, as well as different kinds of business groups to come here for exhibitions, conferences and all that,” he said.
Such demand was “always welcome”, he said, pointing out that the partnership’s main competitors would be hotel limousine services, but stressed the importance of having options with different price points to cater to a wide customer base.


Asked whether the move could be used as a bargaining chip for Uber to seek an expanded quota for ride-hailing service permits, the legislator said: “This has nothing to do with [ride-hailing]. It wouldn’t help.”
Authorities have proposed a cap of 10,000 vehicles for permits under a long-running effort to establish a regulatory framework – a threshold Uber deems insufficient, as the company alone has 30,000 active drivers.
Other ride-hailing platforms operating in Hong Kong, which will share the quota of drivers, include Tada, Amap and Didi Chuxing. Amap is operated by Alibaba Group Holding, which owns the South China Morning Post.
“The only thing that it would help is enhancing Uber’s revenue stream. That’s a corporate strategy,” Ho said.
Fellow legislator Chong Ho-fung, who is also on the panel, echoed Ho’s view that the limousine service offered by Uber and Kwoon Chung Bus was separate from the standard ride-hailing business.
“Whether there could be more ride-hailing quotas would very much depend on the market response when we have the first batch of ride-hailing vehicles in November … there’s not much to do with Uber Elite,” he said.
Ho said the new service would benefit from Kwoon Chung Bus’s experience of working with top-tier hotels and from Uber’s efficient platform, which enabled taxis to pick up passengers in as little as two minutes after a request was made.


Hong Kong lacks a climate narrative to unify its efforts

Cathay calls on Hong Kong to map out long-term sustainable fuel plan beyond 2030

Over 11,000 sign up for Hong Kong taxi, ride-hailing test, beating expectations

Authorities aim to launch revamped Huanggang Port on October 12

Hong Kong transport

Uber partners with Hong Kong firm to launch its first premium service outside US

Timothy Wong of Kwoon Chung Bus (left) and Estyn Chung of Uber Hong Kong announced the team-up on Monday. Photo: Sun Yeung

Uber Elite drivers Ben (left) and Ming pose for a picture outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Central. Photo: Sun Yeung

Lawmaker Adrian Pedro Ho has said the premium service is unrelated to Uber’s concerns about the ride-hailing service permit quota. Photo: Eugene Lee

Ben, an Uber Elite driver. The drivers are recruited from Kwoon Chung Bus’ limousine department. Photo: Sun Yeung

Uber survey finds 90% of passengers deem 10,000-permit cap ‘very insufficient’

A survey by Uber found strong concern among passengers and drivers over Hong Kong’s proposed permit cap. Photo: Jelly Tse

 Passengers expect longer waits and higher fares under a proposed cap, while drivers have raised concerns over permit access and insurance costs. Photo: Jelly Tse

Over 1,000 sign up for Hong Kong’s new taxi, ride-hailing test

More than 1,000 applicants have registered for a new combined test for taxi and ride-hailing services in Hong Kong. Photo: Karma Lo

Lawmaker Mark Chong says the combined written test has been well received as expected. Photo: Eugene Lee

Is Hong Kong kicking the can down the road with ride-hailing quota?

Illustration: Henry Wong

Chau Kwok-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, worries that the trade will be driven into a dead end. Photo: Edmond So

While Amap and Didi Chuxing have expressed support for the quota proposal, Uber has deemed it insufficient. Photo: Jelly Tse

Uber earlier proposed that 30,000 permits be issued, the same as the number of drivers working with the platform. Photo: Karma Lo

Lawmaker Mark Chong has said any review of the permit cap should be swift and precise. Photo: Jonathan Wong

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

Transport

Ride-hailing giant teams up with Kwoon Chung Bus to introduce Uber Elite, with lawmakers saying move won’t impact coming regulatory push


Ride-hailing giant teams up with Kwoon Chung Bus to introduce Uber Elite, with lawmakers saying move won’t impact coming regulatory push.


Uber partners with Hong Kong firm to launch its first premium service outside US

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Ride-hailing giant teams up with Kwoon Chung Bus to introduce Uber Elite, with lawmakers saying move won’t impact coming regulatory push

Ride-hailing giant teams up with Kwoon Chung Bus to introduce Uber Elite, with lawmakers saying move won’t impact coming regulatory push