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RTHK
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- RTHK
Lawmakers suggest tweaks to ride-hailing plan
Lawmakers suggest tweaks to ride-hailing plan A Legco panel heard that taxi drivers are concerned about their rivals undercutting them by providing customers with steep discounts. File photo: RTHK A majority of lawmakers at a Legco transport panel meeting on Friday backed the government's plan to license ride-hailing operators, although some called for changes. The government wants to introduce a licensing system for ride-hailing platforms, their drivers and the vehicles used. Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick said taxi drivers are concerned about their rivals undercutting them by providing customers with steep discounts. "Taxi regulations prohibit fare-cutting to attract customers, so discounts like 20 percent off are actually illegal. However, if platforms can offer cheaper services, it explains why the taxi industry is so agitated," he said. "Some platforms charge HK$20 for a ride that should cost HK$80, leaving taxi drivers feeling helpless." Gary Zhang said the proposed age limit for vehicles is too lenient. "In other cities with ride-hailing regulations, such as Shanghai, Shenzhen and London, the typical age limit is around three to five years. Our initial regulation of seven years could potentially allow vehicles to be on the road for over a decade, which I think is too lenient for Hong Kong's situation," he said. Chan Pui-leung, meanwhile, noted that while the government has proposed a limit on the number of vehicles that can be given a licence for ride-hailing services, it is not suggesting a limit on the number of drivers that can use them. He also expressed concern that some vehicle owners might secure a licence under the quota system but then not offer any services. Chan suggested a vehicle owner should lose their ride-hailing licence if they don't provide a minimum number of journeys. Transport Secretary Mable Chan said it is hoped the licensing requirements will eliminate market uncertainty and allow the taxi sector and ride-hailing services to coexist and develop smoothly. "The government's proposed framework for regulating online ride-hailing services puts the interests of citizens first. Our goal is to make citizens safer when travelling, with more choices and better point-to-point transportation services," she said.
RTHK
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- RTHK
Fine tune details for southbound car scheme: lawmakers
Fine tune details for southbound car scheme: lawmakers From as early as November, motorists across the border can apply for the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme. File photo: RTHK Lawmakers on Saturday urged the government to focus on the finer details of an incoming scheme that will allow cars from Guangdong to drive into Hong Kong. From as early as November, motorists across the border can apply for the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme. Drivers can park their vehicles at the airport with 100 cars per day allowed access to urban areas in the initial phase. Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick says he believes the city can handle more vehicles heading south but that he thinks the administration still has work to do. "There are quite a number of details that need to be clarified. Let's say, how drivers are going to settle the toll fees," Yick said after a radio programme. "And also, a lot of people are concerned about the driving behaviour... The government should do something to alert or educate those potential drivers coming down to Hong Kong." Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien also said that there might be differences in driving cultures. "There are many subtle nuances that are different. But as time progresses, the gap will narrow," Tien said. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan has said the scheme's implementation is one of her bureau's main tasks this year. "We will closely monitor the scheme's implementation and consider further opening up more places based on the experiences and feedback from all parties," she wrote on her official blog.
South China Morning Post
17-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Genuine Hong Kong road accident victims must not suffer
Road accidents may have lasting consequences for those who survive. The government's Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme is a lifeline for the injured who could otherwise face financial hardship through loss of earnings, or put their recovery at risk by returning to work too soon. But it has been subject to serious, organised abuse, including faked accidents. This has contributed to soaring payments to victims and their dependants in recent years, prompting the government to reply with drastic cost-cutting measures. Concern about such abuse is understandable, but authorities must strike a balance to ensure genuine victims do not suffer. An increase in cases of assistance for injury, disability and interim maintenance had contributed to a rise in total annual payments from about HK$297 million to HK$492 million over five years, members of the Legislative Council's welfare services panel were told. Payments are based on the number of days taken for sick leave or stays in hospital. The government proposes reducing the maximum number of days by two-thirds from 180 to 60, while average daily assistance would fall from the current top rate of HK$918 to an average of HK$330. These reductions, supported by lawmakers, will have a significant impact. Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming said at present victims could receive assistance for up to six months, amounting to around HK$27,000 per month, 'which is better than working'. However, lawmaker Chau Siu-chung questioned whether the measures were too harsh. 'What about their families?' he asked. The assistance fund is mainly financed by levies on vehicle and drivers' licences. Acting secretary for labour and welfare Ho Kai-ming told lawmakers that without adjustments the scheme would be unsustainable – 'the funds will be depleted by 2032'.
