Nearly 80 per cent of 4,800 Uber drivers polled in Hong Kong are worried that a strict quota or high licensing fees under coming new regulations for ride-hailing platforms will threaten their livelihoods.
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The results of the poll conducted by platform operator Uber in June were revealed on Tuesday, just days after Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan announced that a highly anticipated regulatory proposal would be submitted to the legislature before the end of the month.
Currently, it is illegal in Hong Kong for private vehicle drivers to accept paid customers without a hire-car permit, but ride-hailing platforms such as Uber, Tada, Amap, and Didi Chuxing operate such services without regulation.
Amap is operated by Alibaba Group Holding, which also owns the South China Morning Post.
These platforms, however, have faced objections from the city’s taxi drivers, who have raised concerns about stiff competition and loss of earnings amid what they consider an unfair system.
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In January, the government said it planned to legalise ride-hailing platforms and open up the sector to all players, with a framework expected to be presented to lawmakers this year.
“Drivers are largely open to reasonable regulations that seek to enhance safety and professionalism. Sixty per cent of drivers think the most reasonable regulatory aspects are ‘regular vehicle inspections’ and ‘obtaining ride-sharing driver or vehicle licenses’,” Uber said in a statement.