Uber and taxi sector among businesses struggling in Hong Kong as people stay off the streets over coronavirus fears
- Driver earnings halved over past two weeks, with Hong Kong Island the worst hit as firms allow employees to work from home and fewer eat out
- Taxi union chairman appeals to government to ramp up mask supply to restore confidence, as well as provide aid for industry
Popular ride-hailing service Uber in Hong Kong has joined a list of businesses hammered by the coronavirus outbreak, with its passenger numbers taking a nosedive in the past two weeks as most people stay off the streets.
CEO Dara Khosrowshahi recently told the Canadian press that its Hong Kong business had been adversely affected by the health crisis. “We are not seeing a significant effect on the business overall, [but the impact] is in North Asia. For example, business in Hong Kong ... is down significantly.”
Uber’s Hong Kong office declined to comment on the matter.
Sam Chui, 56, an Uber driver who works at a law firm, said his income from the ride service was halved in the past two weeks, with fewer people willing to travel around.
“There are two major impacts. First, there have been fewer people travelling to the airport due to the sharp drop in the number of tourists and local travellers,” he said.