HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region authorities are close to completing a report on personalized point-to-point transport services and would present its findings and proposals to the Legislative Council next month, the city’s leader said on Tuesday.

Responding to a question on whether the government would allow private cars to provide ride-hailing services as more ride-hailing platforms from the Chinese mainland entered the city’s market, John Lee Ka-chiu reiterated that the government was studying relevant laws in different jurisdictions and accessing the city’s demand for online car hailing services.

Local media had reported that several videos circulating online had showed residents, suspected to be taxi drivers, catching ride-hailing drivers red-handed and reporting to police after arriving their selected destinations. The incident had caused a heated debate again among the public over the quality of taxi services and the permission of ride-hailing services in the city. 

“I understand there is a major concern among the public over the issue. The authorities will present its observation to the Legislative Council in mid-July and listen to lawmakers’ views,” he told the media ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting.

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Lee said he had already asked relevant bureaus and departments to draw up a proposal since he was in office.

Regarding reports that some private cars offered cross-boundary transport services, the chief executive stressed that all transport operators must comply with laws and the law enforcement agencies would take legal actions based on evidence and actual situation.

HKU governance

Asked about a recent incident over the appointment of vice-presidents at the University of Hong Kong, Lee said he noticed the matter through media reports and asked the Education Bureau to learn more about what was happening and report to him.

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Stressing that the HKU was a “successful” university, the CE, as the university’s chancellor, said that Hong Kong residents and he had high expectations of good governance at the university.