Hong Kong to launch licensed ride-hailing services by fourth quarter of 2026

Hong Kong authorities have said the first batch of licensed ride-hailing platforms is expected to commence operations by the fourth quarter of this year and floated measures to further improve taxi services as part of the government’s latest transport blueprint.

The Transport Department on Friday revealed the 124-page Transport Strategy Blueprint, covering areas including the development of the low-altitude economy, autonomous vehicles, and a smart and green mass transit system.

In the long run, with the complementary strengths of taxi and ride-hailing services, more private car users may be encouraged to switch to personalised point-to-point public transport services, thereby increasing the overall public transport patronage, the blueprint read.

“The blueprint will pave the way for transport development in the coming two decades for a more commuter-friendly city,” Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said. “It also aligns with the country’s 15th five-year plan … to be a superconnector.”

One of the three themes of the blueprint is enjoyable journeys, which includes developing transport hubs for strengthened internal and external connectivity, as well as smart, green and diversified transport for the city.

The blueprint also floated the idea of expanding the capacity of cross-harbour tunnels and pledged to increase the supply of car parking spaces to over 12,000 this year and next year.