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Denise Tsang

Ambrose Li

Most Uber passengers consider the government’s plan to cap ride-hailing vehicle permits at 10,000 “very insufficient”, according to a survey by the firm, as the company attempts to challenge elements of the proposed regulatory regime.
The US-based ride-hailing firm said on Thursday that the survey, conducted over six days last month, 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 that nearly 75 per cent felt “extremely concerned” about the cap and believed it would make it difficult to obtain permits, affecting their livelihoods.
For the survey, Uber reached out via email to passengers who had used its services and to drivers registered with the company, inviting them to complete a questionnaire.
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 on the government’s proposed ride-hailing regulations,” Nicole Lee Tsz-yu, Uber Hong Kong’s head of public policy and government affairs, said.
“We encourage the government to adopt more balanced quota arrangements, codify an effective data-based review mechanism on a quarterly basis, and prioritise active drivers with strong records – building a framework grounded in and reflecting the standards of a world-class city.”

Lee told the South China Morning Post that Uber required more concrete details on how the plan would be implemented, from insurance to allocation, before planning its next steps.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau plans to set the 10,000-permit cap and has pledged to review and adjust it “dynamically”, a proposal that has sparked controversy among both ride-hailing service providers and the taxi industry.
Taxi drivers have argued that the lower the cap, the better, with some previously saying even a limit of 2,000 would be too high.
Lee said that imposing a cap on permits was unique compared with other jurisdictions offering ride-hailing services, including Singapore and the mainland, which had adopted a more open approach to embracing the sharing economy.
“About 1 million tourists used Uber’s services when they arrived in Hong Kong last year,” she noted. “If wait times are long or vehicles are not always available, the experience would not be ideal, which falls short of the city’s positioning as an international hub.”
An Uber spokeswoman added that the government’s push for mega-event and intellectual property-driven economies, including hosting concerts and other acts to draw visitors, should also be taken into consideration as a holistic plan.
Asked whether visitors could opt for taxis instead of ride-hailing services, Lee stressed the importance of choice for all passengers.
“We have different markets and positioning. Taxis can be hailed on the streets or wait at a stand for passengers. These are things ride-hailing vehicles will not be able to do,” Lee added.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said last week that authorities were still seeking views on how permits should be allocated and were considering prioritising applicants who had owned a private car for a certain period.
She added that she would not favour existing ride-hailing drivers.
The 10,000-permit cap will be shared among operators such as Tada, Amap and DiDi, in addition to Uber, if they proceed with applications to operate in the city.
Amap is operated by Alibaba Group Holding, which also owns the SCMP.
The Uber survey also found that 83 per cent of driver respondents viewed a lottery-based allocation as “ineffective”, as it would rely on luck rather than market contribution, making their income unpredictable.
“The number of permits is not an academic discussion. There are tens of thousands of families behind the figures that the ride-hailing industry supports,” Lee said.
The survey also found that 70 per cent of drivers considered the cost of third-party commercial insurance, estimated at between HK$10,000 (US$1,276) and HK$30,000 a year, “prohibitive”, warning that it would force them out of the industry.
Lee called for the continuation of the existing approach of allowing the ride-hailing platform to purchase insurance, rather than requiring drivers to do so themselves, adding that it had “proven to be effective”.
Among passengers, 86 per cent expected greater difficulty hailing rides during peak hours or on rainy days, 83 per cent anticipated higher fares, and 80 per cent expected “significantly longer waiting times”.
Francis Fong Po-kiu, honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, urged the government to consider big data reflecting waiting times and other factors when adjusting quotas under a dynamic review mechanism.
He said the sharp reduction in the number of ride-hailing vehicles could lead to the public facing difficulties in securing rides and rising fares, and stressed the importance of experience-based issuance of licences that served the public interest and enhanced service quality.
“Mandating that drivers purchase expensive commercial insurance may force a large number of drivers out of the market,” he said.
“The authorities should flexibly recognise innovative insurance models calculated on a per-trip basis and promote smart mobility with an open mindset.”


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Hong Kong transport

Uber survey finds 90% of passengers deem 10,000-permit cap ‘very insufficient’

A survey by Uber found strong concern among passengers and drivers over Hong Kong’s proposed permit cap. Photo: Jelly Tse

 Passengers expect longer waits and higher fares under a proposed cap, while drivers have raised concerns over permit access and insurance costs. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong rules out favouring existing ride-hailing platform drivers for permits

Ride hailing taxis and traditional cabs along Gloucester Road in Wan Chai. Photo: Karma Lo

Transport minister Mable Chan says the 10,000 quota measure is a prudent approach despite pressure from lawmakers to set a timetable to review the cap. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong sets ride-hailing permit cap at 10,000 under regulatory push

Hong Kong has taken steps to tackle the ride-hailing market’s regulatory vacuum. Photo: Karma Lo

Ride-hailing cap of 10,000 ‘prudent’ start for Hong Kong, transport minister says

The government has announced a quota of 10,000 permits for ride-hailing operators. Photo: Jelly Tse

An Uber taxi in Tsim Sha Tsui. The US-based company has said the quota of 10,000 licences is too low and warned of higher prices. Photo: Jelly Tse

News

Hong Kong

Transport

Survey of 10,009 passengers and 4,569 drivers highlights strong concern over cap, as firm steps up response to planned regulatory framework


Survey of 10,009 passengers and 4,569 drivers highlights strong concern over cap, as firm steps up response to planned regulatory framework.


Uber survey finds 90% of passengers deem 10,000-permit cap ‘very insufficient’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Survey of 10,009 passengers and 4,569 drivers highlights strong concern over cap, as firm steps up response to planned regulatory framework

Survey of 10,009 passengers and 4,569 drivers highlights strong concern over cap, as firm steps up response to planned regulatory framework