Topic
Founded in 2009, Uber is a taxi-and-car-hailing app which operates in more than 449 cities and 66 countries. While its popularity has helped it grow to a multi-billion dollar valuation, it has faced pushback from authorities and protests from taxi drivers in multiple markets.
Vested interests are demanding fare rises now, but they must also demonstrate they can deliver better services.
Hong Kong has a relatively cheap and efficient way of moving people around yet vested interests are preventing new ideas from making the network even better.
The scrapping of a plan for a premium taxi service app means Hong Kong will remain as one of the few major cities without a legal ride-hailing service. But if introducing competition to the taxi industry means more choice and better service, most customers would agree.
If the city is serious about embracing innovation that improves competitiveness, it must not allow vested interests and a much-criticised taxi industry to frustrate car-hailing services.
With troubled Hong Kong fearing a loss of investor and business confidence, proposed headquarters move from Singapore by ride-hailing giant should be actively encouraged.
- Ageing taxi industry frets about proposals by panel reviewing physical fitness rules for older drivers
- Spate of recent accidents involving cabbies over 80 puts spotlight on older drivers and road safety
Jess, a full-time teacher in Sydney who joined Uber Eats last month to help cope with the rising cost of living, was given a one-star review by a drug dealer after she took the package to the police.
Drivers for Foodpanda and Deliveroo, which dominate market, not optimistic over chances of success for mainland China giant.
Uber Technologies said it would focus on delivering profits this year, after rounding off 2022 with blowout earnings as a surge in demand for airport and office rides helped the company rebound from pandemic lows.
The multi-billionaire’s acquisition led to an exodus of many of the social media company’s legal, privacy and compliance executives, prompting the wider investigation.
Hong Kong falls eight places in ‘Urban Mobility Readiness Index’ despite topping a sub-index for having the best public transit system in the world.
Jurors rejected the claim that other executives at the ride-hailing giant were aware of the 2016 hack.
Base fares for Uber’s more affordable options to rise by at least 15 per cent during peak hours and weekends, with increase in per-kilometre charges most significant in the New Territories.
A leaked cache of confidential files from ride-sharing company Uber illustrates ethically dubious and potentially illegal tactics it used to fuel its frenetic global expansion.
A report in France’s Le Monde newspaper alleges that transport giant Uber came to a ‘deal’ with Macron when he was economy minister between 2014 and 2016.
An increasing number of Western internet firms are calling it quits in the world’s second largest economy, but analysts say local competition may be more to blame than the pandemic and increased regulations.
Shareholder decision was largely expected as the company had explained that delisting was a necessary step for it to secure approvals from Chinese regulators to resume normal operations.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi compared the company’s offerings to those of Shopify, an Amazon rival, after a profitable fourth quarter for the ride-hailing giant’s delivery business.
While much has been written criticising taxi drivers, and extolling the virtues of Uber, there are many kindhearted taxi drivers on our roads.
Uber Eats just clocked the first commercial food delivery to space when fashion mogul Yusaku Maezawa brought along goodies for astronauts on board the ISS – after forking out an epic sum for the privilege
Uber Technologies CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the company was looking to sell its non-strategic investments in other companies, including its shares in Chinese ride hailing company Didi.
Food delivery giant, among city’s big three, says it will be wrapping up operations due to slower-than-expected growth.
Tesla motorists Chen Hai-tao and Yin Wai-ho wanted to use the ride-hailing app to take passengers, but their applications for permits were refused.
Ride-hailing firm’s boss in city says linking its digital platform with industry would be a win-win for everybody, but idea is dismissed as ‘totally unrealistic’ by chairman of minibus association.
The PIF is pursuing a two-pronged strategy, building an international portfolio of investments while also investing locally in projects that will help reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on oil.
Loophole in law allows Uber to escape punishment for working with illegal drivers; firm says it welcomes regulation.
The deal, announced on Friday, will see the US-based ride-hailing service – still not legal in the city – operate the popular local app separately for now.
The Chinese ride-hailing giant gains 1 per cent to finish at US$14.14 on its first day of US trading after an early rally fades.
Didi will sell 288 million American Depository Shares (ADS) at US$14 apiece, a source said, giving Didi a valuation of about US$73 billion.
Didi Chuxing plans to sell 288 million shares at US$13 to US$14 each in its US IPO. The sale could value the entire firm at US$67 billion, compared with US$95 billion for Uber Technologies.
The Uber idea is as old as the illegal taxi problem many decades ago. If for-hire cars could be made legal then, why can’t Uber be now?
Authorities keen to introduce tougher penalties for errant cabbies at the same time, industry told.
