Hong Kong set to invite ride-hailing firms to apply for licences in August

Hong Kong authorities plan to invite ride-hailing platforms to apply for operator licences as early as next month and will begin approving them in batches from the end of November, the city’s transport minister has said.Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan laid down the timeline on Thursday as lawmakers completed the negative vetting process to approve the subsidiary legislation for the ride-hailing regulatory regime.“In August, we will invite ride-hailing platform companies to apply for licences. We will also launch a combined driving test for taxis and ride-hailing vehicles to allow interested drivers to get prepared and apply for a vehicle and driving permit in the fourth quarter of this year,” she said at the Legislative Council session.