A planned taxi strike on March 5 has been called off, Hong Kong Tele-call Taxi Association chairman Wong Yu-ting announced as he apologized to the public following talks with government officials yesterday that yielded pledges to curb illegal ride-hailing services.
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Wong previously threatened that his association would initiate a five-day citywide strike if the government failed to take immediate action on the matter.
Hours after the meeting, police started a citywide crackdown on illegal online ride-hailing services, arresting six male and two female drivers, aged 36 to 63.
Police's Kowloon West traffic division senior inspector Cheng Ho-ming said undercover officers disguised as passengers stopped eight private vehicles suspected of illegally carrying passengers for hire or reward.
Three of the vehicles were detained for further examination.
Commissioner of Transport Angela Lee Chung-yan said the meeting between taxi industry representatives and the government was "constructive."
She indicated that a framework to regulate online ride-hailing platforms will be introduced within the year.
"The meeting was productive, with taxi operators offering concrete suggestions that helped clarify industry concerns," Lee said.
She added that the government and the taxi industry share common goals in seeking solutions to regulate ride-hailing services while ensuring adherence to existing laws against illegal operations.
Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee, took note of the "valuable insights" from the meeting.
He said ride-hailing platforms and traditional taxis are not inherently contradictory as both seek to address public mobility needs.
Hong Kong Taxi Council chairman Ryan Wong Cheuk-pong described the meeting as "positive and constructive" and welcomed the government vow to propose legislation targeting illegal ride-hailing operations by year-end.
"The government has shown determination to resolve these issues," Wong said as he urged taxi groups to "seek common ground and exercise restraint."
Authorities agreed to maintain dialogue with the industry, which will submit written proposals, including stricter licensing, annual vehicle inspections, and mandatory driver training similar to taxi operators.
"These are basic requirements," Wong said. "We hope the government acts swiftly to create a fair market."
Wong Tai-hoi, secretary general of the Taxi Drivers and Operators Association, said representatives from 23 taxi groups were in attendance, all supporting the government's push for new legislation.
He also said his association is preparing a new taxi fleet, expected to commence service as early as next month.
The two-hour meeting was followed by another meeting with representatives from online ride-hailing services, including Uber, Tada, Amap, Didi, Gaode and local app Flytaxi.
It lasted less than an hour, with each platform representative allotted approximately two minutes for their remarks, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Estyn Chung Chi-ting, general manager of Uber Hong Kong, expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to share his company's perspective.
"We believe a balanced and sustainable regulatory framework can enable both taxis and ride-hailing services to coexist, offering more choices for Hong Kong people," he said.
Chung stressed the importance of protecting flexible work models and income opportunities for drivers, while ensuring passenger safety and service quality. ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com
