Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi used a 24-hour visit to Hong Kong on 12 December to press policymakers for a ‘fact-based’ approach to regulating app-based ride-hailing. Speaking to reporters at Uber’s Causeway Bay office, the CEO revealed that more than 30,000 active drivers and tourists from over 100 countries now use the platform in Hong Kong. He warned that if the forthcoming licensing system caps the number of ride-hailing vehicles too low, service reliability could fall and the city’s attractiveness as a business-travel hub could suffer.
Background: In July 2025 Hong Kong’s Legislative Council passed the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, formally legalising ride-hailing and paving the way for a dedicated regulatory framework. The Transport and Logistics Bureau is drafting subsidiary legislation that will set vehicle-age limits, insurance requirements and—most controversially—the quota of ride-hailing vehicle licences to be issued each year. Traditional taxi groups are lobbying for a strict cap and a per-trip levy that would subsidise the cab trade, while technology firms argue for a larger quota linked to real-time demand.
Khosrowshahi signalled conditional support for a levy similar to Australia’s, where ride-share companies pay a small surcharge per trip. “We won’t necessarily object,” he said, “but the details matter.” He stressed that any quota should reflect “operating reality” and allow for organic growth as Hong Kong’s tourism and convention traffic rebounds in 2026.
![Uber CEO urges Hong Kong to set realistic ride-hailing quota as city prepares new licensing regime]()
Practical implications:
• Corporate mobility managers should monitor the quota decision; a tight cap could reduce vehicle availability at peak times and push up fares, affecting ground-transport budgets.
• Business travellers may need to plan for longer wait times or rely more on hotel shuttles and pre-booked car services until the market stabilises.
• HR teams drafting travel policies for expatriates relocating to Hong Kong should ensure that permitted transport modes are updated once licensing details are finalised.
For companies coordinating increased travel to Hong Kong as the ride-hailing framework evolves, VisaHQ can simplify the visa process. Its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) speeds up applications for travellers from more than 200 jurisdictions, offers real-time status tracking and integrates smoothly with corporate travel workflows—helping mobility plans stay on schedule while local transport rules take shape.
Outlook: The government is expected to release draft subsidiary legislation in Q1 2026, with initial licences to be issued by mid-2026. If authorities adopt a data-driven quota system—perhaps tying licence numbers to usage statistics—Hong Kong could position itself as a regional benchmark for balanced ride-hailing regulation. Conversely, an overly conservative cap could see grey-market drivers persist, undermining enforcement and the city’s goal of seamless, tech-enabled mobility.
Background: In July 2025 Hong Kong’s Legislative Council passed the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, formally legalising ride-hailing and paving the way for a dedicated regulatory framework. The Transport and Logistics Bureau is drafting subsidiary legislation that will set vehicle-age limits, insurance requirements and—most controversially—the quota of ride-hailing vehicle licences to be issued each year. Traditional taxi groups are lobbying for a strict cap and a per-trip levy that would subsidise the cab trade, while technology firms argue for a larger quota linked to real-time demand.
Khosrowshahi signalled conditional support for a levy similar to Australia’s, where ride-share companies pay a small surcharge per trip. “We won’t necessarily object,” he said, “but the details matter.” He stressed that any quota should reflect “operating reality” and allow for organic growth as Hong Kong’s tourism and convention traffic rebounds in 2026.
Practical implications:
• Corporate mobility managers should monitor the quota decision; a tight cap could reduce vehicle availability at peak times and push up fares, affecting ground-transport budgets.
• Business travellers may need to plan for longer wait times or rely more on hotel shuttles and pre-booked car services until the market stabilises.
• HR teams drafting travel policies for expatriates relocating to Hong Kong should ensure that permitted transport modes are updated once licensing details are finalised.
For companies coordinating increased travel to Hong Kong as the ride-hailing framework evolves, VisaHQ can simplify the visa process. Its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) speeds up applications for travellers from more than 200 jurisdictions, offers real-time status tracking and integrates smoothly with corporate travel workflows—helping mobility plans stay on schedule while local transport rules take shape.
Outlook: The government is expected to release draft subsidiary legislation in Q1 2026, with initial licences to be issued by mid-2026. If authorities adopt a data-driven quota system—perhaps tying licence numbers to usage statistics—Hong Kong could position itself as a regional benchmark for balanced ride-hailing regulation. Conversely, an overly conservative cap could see grey-market drivers persist, undermining enforcement and the city’s goal of seamless, tech-enabled mobility.
