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Uber urges Hong Kong government to rethink clampdown, claiming move would put livelihoods of 14,000 drivers at risk
- City’s leader Carrie Lam revealed law changes during policy address
- Uber is already illegal in Hong Kong but is still hugely popular in the city
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Uber has urged officials to rethink increasing punishments for illegal rides, warning the livelihoods of its 14,000 drivers would be at stake if the government insisted on cracking down on the business.
The ride-sharing firm’s plea came after Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said in her policy address on Wednesday that the Transport and Housing Bureau was preparing legislative amendments on increasing the penalties for illegal carriage of passengers for reward and other malpractices of taxi service to “protect the interests of passengers”.
Lam pledged to make a greater effort to improve the quality of Hong Kong’s taxi service in conjunction with the industry, including using technology and organising commendation schemes, as ways of getting drivers to improve.
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A government source said there were no plans to legalise Uber’s service, despite its popularity in Hong Kong.
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Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam delivers 2020 policy address
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam delivers 2020 policy address
Despite operating in the city for six years, Uber rides are deemed illegal without a hire-car permit, and the firm has faced strong resistance from the taxi industry, and its 18,163 licensed cabs.
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