香港のタクシー業界は、ライセンス価値の下落と配車サービスへの移行が進む中、市内のタクシーの約1割が銀行に差し押さえられる可能性があると警告した。
業界団体のリーダーである周国強氏は、所有者がローン返済を履行できず、市内にある1万8163台のタクシーのうち約1800台が差し押さえに直面する可能性があると述べた。この発言は、当局が火曜日に配車サービスの許可車両数を1万台に制限すると発表したことを受けたものである。
タクシーのライセンス価値は、2009年のピーク時に766万香港ドルを記録した後、急落している。香港タクシー取引所によると、今年5月時点での価値は、市街地の赤タクシーで262万香港ドル、新界地区の緑タクシーで145万香港ドルとなっている。
香港タクシー・公共小型バス協会の会長である周氏は、今後さらに多くの運転手が配車サービスへ全面的に転向する可能性があると指摘した。この警告は、配車サービスの規制枠組みを構築しようとする長年の取り組みの中で発せられた。
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Hong Kong authorities have proposed a licensing regime for claw and pinball machines, capping play fees at HK$5 and prizes at HK$300, to tackle rising addiction cases among teenagers. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau's measures, submitted to the Legislative Council's home affairs panel, include addiction warnings and address proliferation following a 2022 court ruling; lawmakers support the plan while urging industry balance.
Hong Kong taxi leaders and Uber have raised concerns over a planned quota for ride-hailing vehicles, even as authorities pledge to consult stakeholders before finalizing the number.
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Hong Kong taxi drivers have signed up en masse for digital payment systems as new rules mandate at least two options. AlipayHK reports availability to 47,000 drivers, while WeChat Pay HK says more than 40,000 have its system. The move aids mainland visitors reliant on e-wallets ahead of Easter and Ching Ming holidays.
Guangzhou-based WeRide plans to deploy self-driving taxis and buses on Hong Kong streets this year, while launching Robotaxi GXR services in Singapore on April 1 through Grab. Passengers will be able to hail vehicles via the Grab app, with a safety operator on board initially to comply with local regulations.
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Authorities in Hong Kong have ordered KMB, the city's largest bus operator, to investigate glitches in its fare rebate machines that gave passengers free rides on the launch day of a revised HK$2 transport subsidy scheme. Welfare Secretary Chris Sun Yuk-han stressed that the government's system functioned correctly, with any extra costs to be borne by KMB. The Transport Department demanded an immediate probe and a full report.
China has suspended new autonomous vehicle licenses after over 100 Baidu Apollo Go robotaxis suddenly stopped in Wuhan on March 31, stranding passengers and disrupting traffic. Authorities held a meeting to strengthen safety oversight, and Baidu's operations in the city are paused during the probe.
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A Discovery Bay resident has lodged a complaint with Hong Kong's ombudsman over authorities' handling of a proposal to allow unrestricted taxi access to the resort-style seaside community. The plan would revoke existing taxi-prohibited zones, introduce four new taxi ranks, and permit point-to-point drop-off and pickup. Residents say the proposal was advanced without adequate consultation, and a petition to the Transport Department signed by 1,700 people calls for proper public input.