Hong Kong's Transport Bureau is proposing regulations for ride-hailing services, aiming to balance market forces with licensing requirements. The move follows enabling legislation last October, with the government seeking input from the Legislative Council's transport panel.
China is tightening licensing requirements for robotaxis after a March 31 system failure involving Baidu's Apollo Go fleet left passengers stranded during evening rush hour in Wuhan, disrupting traffic for hours. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology convened a meeting with transport authorities urging the industry to conduct self-inspections and strengthen safety oversight. While curbs do not amount to a complete halt, new approvals for autonomous driving licenses will be harder to secure as regulators shift focus from rapid expansion to safety and stability.
The government's proposed legislation — including new licensing requirements, a 10km/h speed limit on footpaths, and an age restriction — are expected to become law in July.
