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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.
Taxi drivers who give their colleagues and city a bad name face punishment under a demerit system that is sorely needed.
Much-criticised city cabbies only withdrew strike threat after government pledged to crack down on ride-hailing services preferred by many.
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.
- City leader John Lee calls for calm amid ‘divergent views’ over regulation of ride-hailing services, says transport authorities to unveil industry study after July
- ‘These operations involve some legal issues, and even if law enforcements undertake them, they are subject to strict rules,’ he adds
Insider says police will seek legal advice from Department of Justice to ascertain if the prosecution can go ahead, adds chances are high.
Chau Kwok-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, also urges government to issue licences for premium services as soon as possible.
Drivers say they are being unfairly targeted by government crackdowns, but Hongkongers may not be on their side amid complaints over service quality.
Patrick Tam, Hong Kong Taxi & Public Light Bus Association’s secretary general, says vigilantism has been ongoing for at least two weeks, with over a dozen reports filed.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung also says authorities focused on creating premium taxi fleet to help fix industry’s reputation.
Footage and photos posted to Facebook and LIHKG show passengers filming journeys and encouraging drivers to stop near police patrols.
Executive Council HK$2 fare increase decision ‘unfair to us’ Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association chairman Chau Kwok-keung says.
The deal, unveiled on Tuesday, marks one of the biggest takeovers in Taiwan outside the semiconductor industry.
Proposals submitted by taxi trade propose 17% fare increases in cabs serving urban areas, the New Territories and Lantau Island.
More than 8,000 taxi drivers and hire-car owners banded together to launch a class action against the US ride-sharing giant, arguing they lost substantial income when Uber entered Australia in 2012.
Malaysia has announced a goal to create five domestic US$1 billion ‘unicorns’ by 2025 as part of its plan to become a global start-up hub.
Readers discuss the regulatory quagmire facing ride-railing operators in Hong Kong, and the need to review taxi driver performance.
Some say city’s image at stake amid complaints about horror rides, bad behaviour by rude cabbies and lack of e-payment solutions.
A review is to be held in a bid to put the brakes on illegal ride-hailing services; findings to be discussed with taxi industry and others involved in six months.
Readers discuss the revision of China’s Cultural Relics Protection Law, navigating Hong Kong’s Covid-19 vaccine booking site, replacing taxis with new transport modes and peak interest rates.
Starting early next year, Uber will offer riders the option of choosing a London black cab as part of the company’s expansion into a one-stop transport app, including bookings for intercity trains and car rentals.
In a last-ditch effort to defuse the situation, government pledges to amend the law to stiffen punishments against those providing illegal ride-hailing services.
China needs to develop 1 million artificial intelligence-native applications and less AI large language models, according to Baidu co-founder, chairman and chief executive Robin Li.
Wonder, a subsidiary of Bindo Labs, is determined to put its system, which accepts forms of payment including Visa, Mastercard, Alipay and UnionPay, into 10,000 taxis in a year’s time.
Taxi industry veterans urge government to toughen up on illegal ride-hailing services after authorities back lawmaker’s proposal to increase penalties.
Some operators say criteria for running fleets numbering in hundreds too demanding and cater only to two powerful players.
More than 100 taxi drivers and owners gather outside Legislative Council for rally.
CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said Uber is working on the chatbot and has been using machine learning for years.
Campaign comes on the heels of poor survey results, with only 55 per cent of respondents saying they are satisfied with taxi rides.
The survey also found tourists gave a higher average score on taxi service quality, at 81 per cent, than residents, with an average of 58 per cent.
