Sub-par ride-hailing vehicles may have permits revoked

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Tuesday said vehicles providing ride-hailing services could have their permits revoked in future if they fail to meet requirements. Chan also said the government will conduct an annual review of permits issued as part of a regulatory framework. At a special Legco transport panel meeting, the transport minister was asked how to prevent drivers who don't provide enough services from obtaining a permit. "Some drivers may work part-time and might not be able to go online or provide sufficient service hours or rides, making the licence effectively useless," she said. "Therefore, we are considering setting a monthly minimum ride requirement when issuing vehicle permits. "While the permit may be valid for five years, we will review it annually. If we find that the data does not meet the target within a year, we will revoke it." Chan said a preliminary proposal is to mandate that ride-hailing vehicles complete, for example, an average of dozens of trips per month. Many lawmakers also asked if the government has any thoughts on how many permits they plan to issue. Chan said that the government has not decided yet and will continue to collect opinions. She stressed that even after an initial cap is set, the government will continue to monitor the situation and make changes when necessary. "As transport capacity and demand change in response to economic activity, tourism recovery and the completion of new development areas, it is essential not only to estimate and set an appropriate cap but also to establish a consistent monitoring mechanism. This mechanism should regularly review market data to ensure flexibility and precise alignment with residents' needs." The transport chief also said the government is considering asking ride-hailing platforms to provide their operation data and archive them to help with their assessment. The licence terms will also include clauses to ensure data security, she added.