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Wynna Wong

More ride-hailing platform operators from mainland China and Southeast Asia have approached the Hong Kong government about entering the city’s market ahead of the launch of licensed operations, the transport minister has revealed.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan also said on Sunday that more than 7,500 people had applied for the new combined taxi and ride-hailing vehicle written test, calling the number a “very good and positive” sign.
“We hope there will be more competition and greater diversity, which will provide more choices for residents and future ride-hailing drivers,” she said on a television programme.
Hong Kong legalised ride-hailing services earlier this year, requiring platforms, vehicles and drivers to obtain separate licences or permits.
Although the new regulatory regime took effect on August 3, the first licensed services are not expected to launch until later this year.
Chan said the operators included established companies that Hongkongers might have encountered while visiting the mainland or Southeast Asia, but she did not identify them or disclose how many had made contact.
Uber already operates in Hong Kong, while Chinese platforms Didi and Amap also offer local booking services. Amap is owned by Alibaba Group Holding, which also owns the South China Morning Post.
Geely-backed CaoCao Mobility, China’s second-largest ride-hailing operator, signed a strategic partnership agreement with Octopus in June aimed at operating licensed services in the city.
Singapore-headquartered Grab is Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailing platform, providing services in more than 900 cities across eight countries.
Other major mainland operators include T3 Chuxing and Meituan’s mobility platform, but neither has an established ride-hailing presence in the city.

The government hoped to invite interested companies to apply for platform licences within the next few months, Chan said.
An exam for prospective ride-hailing drivers was introduced as part of the new regulatory regime, combined with the existing test for taxi drivers to create a single assessment for both services.
Those who pass can take the required pre-service course before applying for relevant permits.
The first batch of candidates for the combined written test would sit the examination from mid-September, Chan said. Applications opened on August 3.
Existing taxi drivers can apply directly for a ride-hailing permit without taking the exam.
Chan said the Transport Department would begin a baseline survey before the end of the third quarter to examine residents’ travel patterns and assess passenger demand.
Licensed platforms will later be required to send operational data to a government monitoring system, allowing authorities to dynamically assess supply and demand.
She said that platforms would be asked to explain how they planned to provide sufficient capacity, including by attracting taxis to offer bookings through their apps.
Licence renewal requirements could also be designed to encourage drivers to work more regularly, Chan said.


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Hong Kong transport

Chinese, Southeast Asian ride-hailing firms eye Hong Kong amid licensing roll-out

Hong Kong's first licensed ride-hailing services are not expected to launch until later this year. Photo: Jelly Tse

Transport minister Mable Chan says the government hopes to invite interested companies to apply for platform licences within the next few months. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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

Hong Kong set to invite ride-hailing firms to apply for licences in August

An Uber cab passes a taxi stand in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Jelly Tse

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan has also said the government will roll out a dedicated website for ride-hailing services on Friday. Photo: Karma Lo

News

Hong Kong

Transport

Transport chief says more than 7,500 people have applied for new combined taxi and ride-hailing vehicle written test


Transport chief says more than 7,500 people have applied for new combined taxi and ride-hailing vehicle written test.


Chinese, Southeast Asian ride-hailing firms eye Hong Kong amid licensing roll-out

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Transport chief says more than 7,500 people have applied for new combined taxi and ride-hailing vehicle written test

Transport chief says more than 7,500 people have applied for new combined taxi and ride-hailing vehicle written test