Ride-hailing platforms seeking Hong Kong licence must have handled 100,000 orders a day
Uber and Didi among platforms submitting applications, with both saying criteria are reasonable and that they will roll out measures to help drivers
Hong Kong authorities have opened licence applications for ride-hailing platforms under a new regulatory scheme, requiring operators to have a proven track record of providing lawful services in cities with populations of more than 7.5 million, while handling over 100,000 daily orders in at least two locations.
Announcing the licensing terms on Friday, the Transport Department said eligibility criteria also included using technology such as facial recognition for due diligence checks to ensure vehicles were driven by their registered owners with valid permits.
“By introducing the regulatory regime for ride-hailing services, we aim to require platforms, vehicles and drivers providing these services to obtain relevant licences and permits, providing members of the public with safer and compliant choices for point-to-point transport,” a department spokesman said.
“To ensure that ride-hailing platforms possess the operational capability to provide platform services, we will impose specific requirements regarding booking management technology, experience in operating ride-hailing platform services, financial proof and capital investment.”
Under the new regulations, applicants must be Hong Kong-registered companies with permanent executive staff and an office in the city. An operator’s most senior executive must have a university education and experience in transport management, and must primarily live in Hong Kong.
Interested operators must submit audited financial reports for the past three years. They must have capital of at least HK$50 million (US$6.4 million), at least HK$30 million in bank deposits and a HK$30 million credit line.