The Hong Kong government is focusing on improving taxi services before considering increasing permits for online ride-hailing services. Lawmakers emphasize observing the effectiveness of the taxi premium scheme before making major changes. While concerns about affecting competitiveness are raised, government officials express the need for evaluating the impact of new regulations. With only 1,500 permits currently available, Uber drivers argue for a fair playing field and increased permit quotas to meet market demands.
Despite the global trend towards ride-hailing services, Hong Kong remains cautious about regulating the industry. Uber drivers advocate for loosening permit requirements and creating a new license type for ride-hailing platforms. The government proposal is met with opposition as drivers fear job loss if stringent regulations are enforced. As the discussion moves to the panel meeting, the future of ride-hailing services in Hong Kong remains uncertain.