Uber Survey: Hong Kong Drivers and Riders Oppose Permit Cap
Quick Look
A survey by Uber in Hong Kong found 90% of 10,009 passengers and 75% of 4,569 drivers consider the proposed 10,000-permit cap "very insufficient" and "extremely concerned" about its impact on livelihoods, as Uber seeks to influence upcoming ride-hailing regulations.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Uber has dominated Hong Kong's ride-hailing market for 12 years amid a regulatory vacuum. The government is now proposing regulations including a cap on ride-hailing vehicle permits.
The US-based ride-hailing firm said on Thursday that the survey, conducted last month over six days, drew 10,009 passenger respondents, 90 per cent of whom considered the 10,000-permit cap “very insufficient”.
The survey, which also gathered responses from 4,569 drivers, found nearly 75 per cent felt “extremely concerned” about the cap and believed it would make it difficult to obtain permits, affecting their livelihoods.
Uber, which has dominated Hong Kong’s ride-hailing market amid a regulatory vacuum for 12 years, said the proposed quota accounted for only one-third of the more than 30,000 active drivers on its platform.
The survey is seen as Uber’s latest attempt to fend off the government’s controversial plan to regulate the number of ride-hailing vehicle permits, alongside setting requirements for drivers, vehicles and platform operators, before the Legislative Council’s summer recess in July.
“The survey results reflect riders’ and drivers’ honest feedback to the government’s proposed ride-hailing regulations,” Nicole Lee Tsz-yu, Uber Hong Kong’s head of public policy and government affairs, said in a statement.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Legislative Council will vote on the proposed ride-hailing regulations.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What will be the final decision of the Legislative Council regarding the proposed regulations?
- How will Uber respond if the regulations are implemented as proposed?
- What are the specific requirements for drivers, vehicles, and platform operators under the proposed regulations?
