A lawmaker suggests that the Hong Kong government should grant additional permits for taxi services and perform background screenings on drivers utilizing online rideshare apps.
Lawmaker Simon Lee stated in a 44-page research report on regulating ride-hailing services released Thursday that the present taxi sector offered limited diversity in service choices and did not cater adequately to the varied demands of passengers regarding comfort and seating capacity.
The lawmaker stated that the demand for rental vehicles in Hong Kong has grown over time because of "population growth and environmental shifts," yet the available supply in the market falls short, particularly during peak times.
Alongside the general dissatisfaction with traditional taxi services, Lee stated that the "sole resolution" involved issuing additional permits and licenses for ride-hailing companies.
"Drivers ought to go through evaluations akin to those for taxi licensing exams and must complete background checks to stop people with severe criminal histories from joining the sector, thereby safeguarding passengers," the report further stated.
Lee added that hire cars should also install dashcams, GPS systems, and cameras to ensure the safety of passengers and monitor the driver’s behaviour.
The government declared in December that it intended to mandate all taxi drivers To equip vehicles with in-car monitoring cameras, GPS devices, dashboard cameras, and electronic payment solutions within the coming two years, aiming to enhance both the operational standards and public perception of the taxi industry.
Hong Kong aims to regulate online ride-hailing services like Uber. implementing a licensing system A document detailing the regulatory specifics is anticipated before the end of this year.
The struggling taxi industry has fiercely criticized ride-sharing companies, arguing that these mostly unregulated platforms create an uneven playing field for taxi drivers.
Last month, a taxi union warned of a potential citywide strike unless officials committed to taking strict action. However, plan was cancelled following warnings from Chief Executive John Lee that "severe measures" might fail to win public backing .
Currently, Hong Kong has capped the total number of permits for private hire car services at 1,500. By December 31, 2021, 1,115 licenses had already been issued. issued .
In May 2022, the government stated that the restriction was put in place to prevent disruptions to public transportation operations and to mitigate increased traffic jams.
The police informed HKFP earlier this month that the "enforcement number" for the unlawful transportation of passengers for hire or reward via automobiles increased to 47 in 2024, up from 33 in 2023.
The agency failed to clarify if the mentioned figure referred to the number of vehicles or drivers stopped. Additionally, it remained ambiguous whether any person had been arrested or faced prosecution.
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