Hong Kong authorities plan to cap ride-hailing vehicles at 10,000, expecting it to meet demand. Critics including taxi drivers and legislators warn this could cause shortages, higher fares and public dissatisfaction.
The government said it expected the quota would match current demand. Chau Kwok-keung, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, said the ride-hailing quota has gravely disrupted the taxi trade. Drivers are already suffering from plummeting income, with those on night shifts finding almost no business.
Chau said: “I am most afraid that after the government enforces this quota limit, it will keep increasing the number of ride-hailing permits under different pretexts. Then Hong Kong’s taxi industry will keep shrinking.”
Legislator Mark Chong Ho-fung said Chan should not kick the can down the road over regulating ride-hailing services in Hong Kong. Ride-hailing giant Uber has also expressed ire at the proposal.