Legalise and regulate ride-hailing apps in Hong Kong, Uber chief says
General manager of ride-sharing service urges law change amid court battle over five drivers
The head of popular ride-hailing app Uber in Hong Kong has called on the government to legalise its operations, saying such services were a trend that should be allowed to develop in the city.
Kenneth She Chun-chi, general manager of Uber Hong Kong, made the appeal on Tuesday amid an ongoing legal battle involving five Uber drivers charged with using a car for hire without a permit and driving without third-party insurance.
Their trial, a result of a police raid at the firm’s offices in August 2015 after complaints by local taxi drivers, will resume on February 27.
“We are waiting for the court to resolve the legal dispute. We have been very supportive of our drivers and we have purchased insurance policies for every driver to ensure our passengers have insurance protection,” he said as he announced the launch of Uber Hong Kong’s new office in Causeway Bay, which will house 100 staff in the 9,000 sq ft space.
“In fact, every month we have to deal with some small claims from riders for minor accidents and they are all compensated by our insurer,” She said.
The firm, founded in mid 2014, is focusing on its ride-sharing platforms UberX and UberBlack in Hong Kong as well as delivery service UberEats. She said so far Uber had served one million riders in Hong Kong using more than 30,000 drivers.
