Editorial | Put public first in Hong Kong taxi squabble with Uber
- ‘Sting’ operations by cabbies to expose ride-hailing drivers are uncalled for, especially when the government should really be clarifying the status of on-demand car services
The community accepts the need for laws and rules to regulate civilised society. But to serve their purpose they must be enforceable and respected by those they govern.
When they are routinely flouted with relative impunity for years, or some people take the law into their own hands, it is doubtful that they have passed those two tests. A case in point is the taxi industry fight versus ride-hailing services, such as Uber, which are taking cabbies’ business.
The likes of Uber operate in a legal grey area, undeterred by relatively few prosecutions of drivers.
In the latest development, taxi drivers have gone undercover by posing as Uber customers to report suspected illegal ride-hailing services to police. Such a practice is to be discouraged in a law-abiding society.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has urged cabbies to stop launching “sting” operations against Uber drivers, warning such efforts require proper training and legal knowledge.