MR CHAN KIN-POR (in Cantonese): President, as mentioned by a number of colleagues just now, there is indeed a demand for e-hailing service. I would like to ask if the Government will develop a scheme to impose regulation and restriction that is acceptable to the taxi trade. After all, taxi owners have paid a high premium for taxi licences, there is no reason for other car owners to be permitted to provide e-hailing service at wish. Has the Government considered any relevant proposals?
SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AND HOUSING (in Cantonese): I thank Mr CHAN Kin-por for his question. Although the existing law does not prohibit the provision of e-hailing service, I must stress that all hire cars must obtain valid and legal HCPs. As I mentioned earlier on, while the Hong Kong Taxi Trade Council is developing an e-hailing platform, the Government has also encouraged various taxi trades to build a platform to facilitate members of the public and provide point-to-point service, so that the taxi trades can develop in a regulated and healthy manner.
Our next task of this year is to introduce franchised taxis. Franchised taxis with an e-hailing feature will operate in a regulated manner. We also hope to strike a balance between maintaining the healthy and sustainable development of the taxi trade and satisfying people’s demand for point-to-point transport service with an e-hailing feature.