Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said regulating online car-hailing platforms and reforming the taxi industry must go hand in hand, calling for the two sectors to complement one another in pursuit of coexistence.
She said on Saturday (May 17) that the government is committed to prioritising public interests while addressing concerns from all stakeholders.
Her remarks followed a series of meetings between the authorities and industry representatives.
In one of the meetings on Thursday, officials had a two-hour discussion with the taxi trade, during which they reaffirmed their resolve to combat illegal ride-hailing operations.
The bureau then met with online car-hailing platform operators the following day to stress the importance of strict adherence to local regulations.
Chan said authorities have been focused on improving personalised point-to-point services.
"We have been helping the taxi sector to improve their service quality by creating five taxi fleets, and the features of these fleets are basically to provide e-hailing services, and also they will provide new and electric cars to enhance their service," she said.
"We are currently actively pursuing our internal review and survey on passenger demand towards the provision of e-hailing service, and we are actively doing that.
"In this process, we have been arranging and lining up regular sessions with relevant stakeholders, including in particular the taxi trade representatives, as well as existing e-hailing platform operators, as well as those potential candidates who are interested in operating in Hong Kong."
The transport chief stressed that the government will regularly meet with industry representatives to gather updated views and suggestions with the aim of finalising an internal study and survey on the demands and requirements needed to regulate e-hailing platform services in the future.
(Source: RTHK)
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