Life for Immigrants in Hong Kong: According to media reports, the mobile app Uber, which provides private car hire services, has sparked heated debate in Hong Kong society. The Hong Kong police recently arrested several Uber staff members and drivers on the grounds that Uber is suspected of violating the Road Traffic Ordinance and other laws in Hong Kong. Uber launched an online petition on the 13th, which received support from over 32,000 netizens on the first day.
According to reports, some opinions suggest that Hong Kong's current laws are failing to keep pace with technological progress and are suppressing innovation, urging the government to study amendments to the law.
According to reports, Uber issued a statement after the police arrests, stating that it looks forward to working with the Hong Kong government in the future to improve existing laws and use innovative technology to enhance the quality of life for Hong Kong citizens.
According to reports, Frankie Yick Chi-ming, a member of the Legislative Council for the Transport functional constituency, stated that the industry is studying 'luxury taxi' services. The taxi industry is only opposed to unfair competition, and Uber has made the industry realize that citizens are willing to pay higher prices for personalized services. He believes that if the taxi industry has a platform similar to Uber to mobilize fleets, it could increase usage rates, but fares would need to be regulated uniformly.
Vera Yuen Wing-han, an assistant lecturer at the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Hong Kong, believes that the taxi driver system is outdated and that the lack of information flow makes taxi deployment unable to meet public demand, and the emergence of Uber has made the market more competitive.
Gilly Wong Fung-han, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, reminded consumers that they should be aware that riding in unlicensed taxis may not be covered by third-party insurance, and suggested that they understand the risks of using such services and make rational decisions.
A spokesperson for the Transport Department stated that as of the 31st of last month, there were 884 private cars in Hong Kong with hire car permits. Currently, hire car permits are divided into five categories, including hotel service, tour service, luxury, and cross-boundary private service. Applications for such permits must be submitted by the registered owner of the private car. When reviewing applications, the selection committee considers factors such as relevant laws, transport policies, and the level of public transport services before making recommendations to the Commissioner.